RATIONAL FRUIT CULTURE. 55 



INSECTiaOES. 



Very many insecticides to serve these three purposes 

 have been put on the market, and most are good in their 

 different ways. But the fruit-grower who wishes to work in 

 the most economical manner will make his own, and the follow- 

 ing four are all that he will require. 



FOR SAP-SUCatING INSECTS. 



1. Soap Wash. — Dissolve half a pound of soft soap in 

 two gallons of water. Spray when the insects first appear, 

 and, if necessary, at intervals afterwards. For aphides, the 

 quantity of water may be doubled. 



2. Paraffin Emulsion. — More powerful than No. 1. Dis- 

 solve half a pound of soft soap in one gallon of hot water, and 

 churn in two gallons of paraffin. Keep in corked bottles. Use 

 with ten times its bulk of water. 



FOR TISSUE-FEEDING INSECTS. 



3. Paris-Green Wash. — Dissolve ten ounces of Paris 

 green in twelve gallons of water. Spray the foliage thoroughly 

 when caterpillars attack it, but, as the liquid is poisonous, not 

 within five or six weeks of the time of gathering the fruit. 

 It should be kept stirred while it is being used, for, if 

 too strong, it will injure the leaves. 



FOR HIBERNATING INSECTS AND THEIR EGGS. 



4. Woburn Wash. — ^Dissolve separately in water one 

 pound of commercial caustic soda and one pound of crude 

 potash. Mix the two, stir in three-quarters of a pound of soft 

 soap, and add more water to make ten gallons altogether. Use 

 in winter to destroy moss, lichens, and any hibernating insects 

 or their eggs. As it is caustic, it should be kept away from 

 the person and the clothes. Gloves should be worn while 

 spraying. 



