198 MANUAL OF GARDENING 
fungicide. The flowers of sulfur may be sprinkled over the plants, 
particularly when they are wet. It is most effective in hot, dry weather. 
In rose houses it is mixed with half its bulk of lime, and made into a 
paste with water. This is painted on the steam pipes. The fumes 
destroy mildew on the roses. Mixed with lime, it has proved effective 
in the control of onion smut when drilled into the rows with the seed. 
Sulfur is not effective against black-rot of grapes. 
Treatment for some of the common insects. 
The most approved preventive and remedial treatments for 
such insect pests as are most likely to menace home grounds 
and plantations are here briefly discussed. In case of any un- 
usual difficulty that he cannot control, the home-maker should 
take it up with the agricultural experiment station in the state, 
sending good specimens of the insect for identification. He 
should also have the publications of the station. 
The statements that are here made are intended as advice 
rather than as directions. They are chosen from good authori- 
ties (mostly from Slingerland and Crosby in this case); but the 
reader must, of course, assume his own risk in applying them. 
The effectiveness of any recommended treatment depends very 
largely on the care, thoroughness, and timeliness with which 
the work is done; and new methods and practices are constantly 
appearing as the result of new investigations. The dates given 
in these directions are for New York. 
Aphis or plant-louse. — The stock remedies for aphides or plant- 
lice are kerosene emulsion and the tobacco preparations. Whale-oil 
soap is also good. The tobacco may be applied as a spray, or in the 
house as fumigation; the commercial forms of nicotine are excellent. 
(See page 194.) Be sure to apply the remedy before the leaves have 
curled and afford protection for the lice; be sure, also, to hit the under- 
side of the leaves, where the lice usually are. The presence of lice on 
trees is sometimes first discovered from the honey-dew that drops on 
walks. 
