Miscellanies, 199 



sects perish with their germs, — the odor remains several days about 

 the tree and repels fresh invaders. A mixture of earth is necessary, 

 because spirits of turpentine swims upon pure water and will not 

 mix with it, and if used in too great quantities might burn the leaves. 



The drought which occurred a few years ago in the canton in 

 which I live, produced a mange in cattle and horses, very extensive 

 and injurious, and those which escaped this infection were filled with 

 lice, from which they were promptly relieved by sponging earth 

 with water impregnated with the spirits. This infection caused 

 horses, fatigued with labor to rub themselves so much against their 

 mangers and the walls of the stables as to deprive them of much of 

 the rest so necessary to their comfort. 



I cannot therefore doubt, from the trials that have been made, that 

 much benefit might result from the use of turpentine in clearing 

 fields and trees from insects of different kinds, and that a mixture of 

 ashes with which a portion of this liquid has been incorporated, 

 would remove by its odor the ticks and other insects which infest 

 turnips. Its odor is more penetrating in the open air than that of 

 sulphur and some other materials used for this purpose. 



It would perhaps be useful in destroying ants or driving them 

 away from espaliers and other places. These insects are very fond 

 of the slime or honey left by grubs, he. on trees and plants attacked 

 by them. 



The essence now recommended is of so moderate a price and is 

 used in so small a quantity as to be accessible to every body ; and it 

 is moreover an article that ought to be found in all farm and country 

 houses, from its being so good a remedy for the wounds and acci- 

 dents to which horses are liable, and for the feet and horns of cat- 

 tle. — Jour, des Conn. Usuelles. 



30. A brilliant and useful varnish for articles of cast iron. — Sus- 

 pend the article by a bent wire and give it, with a brush, a thin coat 

 of linseed oil, then hang it eight or ten inches above a wood fire so 

 that the smoke and flame may frequently play around it. After be- 

 ing thus exposed over a good fire during a full hour, bring it down 

 very near the burning coals, without touching them ; after it has thus 

 remained about fifteen minutes, dip it into cold spirits of turpentine. 



If this single operation does not give it sufficient brilliancy, it may 

 be heated again over the coals and dipt a second time in the spirits. 

 — Idem. 



