USEFUL INSECTICIDES 619 



others, which are probably compounds of nicotine obtained from 

 tobacco and alcohol. These are proprietary remedies, and direc- 

 tions for their use are issued by the manufacturers. 



Vaporitc. A grey powdered preparation, called " vaporite," 

 made by the Vaporite Co. in London. It is one of the most 

 efficacious of insecticides that are adapted for applying to 

 the ground, giving off when mixed with the moist soil an insect- 

 killing vapour. It destroys grubs, eelworms, millepedes, cock- 

 chafers, etc. in the soil, without apparently injuring the roots, and 

 may be applied by mixing with the surface soil, or by inserting 

 in holes several inches apart made with a crowbar. For pot-plants 

 it should be applied in a weak solution with water. Vaporite may 

 be obtained locally from MESSRS. E. B. CREASY & Co., Colombo, 

 and every one who grows plants, either for use or ornament, should 

 have some always at hand. 



Quicklime. Fresh-slaked pure lime, especially coral lime, is of 

 great value as an insecticide when dusted over the ground or 

 mixed in with the soil. It also serves as a useful diluent of 

 poisonous powders, being used to a large extent in the preparation 

 of some of the more active insecticides and fungicides to avert their 

 caustic action on foliage. When quick-lime is applied in the form 

 of a wash or spray, it leaves a coating over the part so treated, and 

 thus prevents fungi from obtaining a footing on the leaves, etc. 



MEANS FOR DESTROYING TERMITES OR 

 WHITE- ANTS. 



The "Ant-Exterminator." Of the various devices as yet 

 adopted for destroying termites, this is probably the best. It 

 consists of a small charcoal furnace in connection with an air-pump. 

 Some glowing charcoal is placed in the furnace ; a spoonful of the 

 mixture (composed of white arsenic 85% and sulphur \S%) is 

 thrown on the charcoal and the lid firmly clamped into position. 

 A flexible nozzle (A in the figure) is pushed into the main entrance 

 of the nest, and all supplementary holes are plugged with clay. 

 The pump (H) is then worked, and drives the vapour into the nest, 

 forcing it into all the ramifications of the galleries. Little jets of 

 smoke will soon arise from crevices and unsuspected openings for 

 several yards round the main entrance. These should be imme- 

 diately stopped with clay or pounded earth. After a few minutes of 

 pumping, the nozzle may be withdrawn and the hole plugged with 

 clay. The nest should remain undisturbed for a week, when the 



