ON SOAP-SUDS AS A MANURE, JQ] 



other side, we may observe, that in the fluid manure there 

 must be an increased quantity of animal matter in the wa- 

 ter, after it has been used for the purpose of washing 

 linen. 



The experiment then shows what is the advantage of the 

 application of the oil atid alkali only, as a manure, and 

 perhaps the delay of " six months" in preparing the com- 

 post would not be compensated by any superior efficacy, 

 that may be expected to arise from the combination of the 

 horse-dung. 



It also appears from the experiment, that the compost is 

 a more useful discovery than Dr. Hunter himself could just- 

 ly infer from his own limited experience of its ejffects. 



Q, This mixture of an oil and an alkali has been more ge- Soap-suds a re- 

 nerally known than adopted, as a remedy against the insects ^n^dy against 

 which infest v/all-fruit trees. It will dislodge and destroy ij^mve f^uit- 

 the insects, which have already formed their nests and bred trees. 

 among the leaves. When used in the early part of the year, 

 it seems to prevent the insects from settling upon them ; 

 but whether by rendering the surface of the leaf disagree- 

 able to the bodies of the animals, and thus repelling them, 

 or by neutralizing the acid they deposit, and thus prevent- 

 ing the leaf from contracting into a necessary form for their 

 reception, I cannot presume to determine. One of the 

 modes, by which this mixture indirectly contributes to the 

 fertility of the ground, may be by its destruction of the in- 

 sects, which prey upon the plants. 



It is also, I think, to be preferred to the lime water, or Preferable to 



the wood ashes and lime, which Mr. Forsvth recommends ^'"^^^^'V^"".' °' 



caustic lixi- 

 to be used for the removal of insects. It is preferable to viuip. 



the lime water and the lime, because lime loses its causticity, 

 and with that its efficacy, by exposure to air, and must con- 

 sequently be frequently applied ; and to the dredging the 

 leayes with the fine dust of wood ashes and lime, because 

 the same effect is produced by the mixture without the same 

 labour, and is obtained without expense. 



Mr. Speechley, in his treatise on the Vine, published in Mr.Siieechley 

 1796, has used this mixture with great success ; but he has recommends it. 

 applied it awkwardly and wastefully. He directs it to be 

 poured from a ladder out of " a watering po.t over both trees 



and 



