22 CABBAGli. 



The proof, however, of destruction of the infestation, together with 

 no harm, but rather good to the plants, is a great step onwards to 

 arrangements for gaining this at a lesser cost; and (at my request) I 

 have permission from Mr. J, Moss, of Feering, Kelvedon, Essex, to 

 give the following observations of the satisfactory effects of the use of 

 a mixture of soft-soap and sulphur applied by the " Eclair " knapsack 

 sprayer in getting rid of presence of Aphides from the Kale seed plants, 

 but at the same time noting the costliness of the application over the 

 large acreage infested. 



Mr. John Moss wrote to me as follows from Kelvedon, Essex, on 

 the 16th of August : — "I have tried the soap and sulphur compound with 

 the knapsack sprayer for two years. The application is certainly very 

 effective and satisfactory as far as efficiency is concerned, but the appli- 

 cation is difficult at this season, and is also too costly. To thoroughly 

 dress the Kale seed so as to kill all the Aphis is a very slow process, 

 and costs nearly £2 per acre ; we have, however, dressed some acres 

 this year, very greatly improving the seed, or rather saving it. But to 

 get over all our crops which were blighted would require from twenty 

 to forty men, each with a sprayer, and just at the busiest season of the 

 year, when they can least be spared. 



" I find the total cost of dressing with the soap and sulphur com- 

 pound to be about five shillings per day, and one man is able to dress 

 about one-eighth of an acre. The cost, and also the acreage, would, 

 of course, vary according to the extent of the blight and thickness of 

 the crop. 



" The seed crop would be dressed with but little damage to the 

 seed. I find the soap and sulphur to answer better than anything 

 else. The Chiswick Soap Co. made me up some with Paris-green, or 

 London-purple, added, so as to make it a general-purpose compound, 

 useful for either Turnip Fly caterpillar or Aphis ; but for the latter I 

 think the poisonous addition to be of no advantage. 



" The bent tube that you suggested answers very well. I find 

 holding the jet under the plants and directing the spray upwards to be 

 the better plan. It thus has to pass the plant twice before it falls to 

 the ground." — (.J. Moss.) 



One great recommendation of the compound mentioned, is that 

 the sulphur in it is soluble without further trouble than mixing with 

 hot water. When I have used it myself I have found that sixteen 

 hours after mixing with hot water the sulphur was completely dis- 

 solved. The soft-soap used is of very strong quality, so that care is 

 requisite to ascertain to what strength the mixture must be diluted 

 before use.* 



* For particulars, prices, &c., application should be made to the Chiswick Soap 

 Co., Chiswick, Middlesex. 



