SOAP SOLUTION 77 
desired to use it in larger quantities, a convenient method is to steep 
1 pound in 1 gallon of aleohol, then dilute with 40 gallons of water. 
This material is not poisonous to man or the higher animals. 
Soap Solution 
Hard soap. . ; : 4 : : . 1 pound 
Water. : : : : . ; 4 . 5 gallons 
A simple solution of soap and water is effective against plant lice 
and similar sucking insects, and is especially useful for treating insects 
infesting house plants, where it is not desirable to use other and less 
pleasant materials. 
Ordinary laundry soap may be used. Dissolve 1 pound of soap 
in 5 gallons of water. This solution will not injure plants in leaf. 
Whale-oil soap may be used instead of laundry soap. The potash 
soap is best. It should contain not over 30 per cent water. One 
pound in 4or 5 gallons of water is the proper strength for plants 
in leaf. 
A solution of whaleoil soap and water is sometimes used for San 
José scale, applying it to trees in winter, while they are dormant. 
For such use, take 2 pounds of the soap to 1 gallon of hot water. 
This material is not as effective against scale as lime-sulphur solution, 
and the cost is greater. 
Carbolic Acid Emulsion 
Hard soap : : : . , : : . 1 pound 
Hot water (soft). : : ; : : . ¥ gallon 
Carbolie acid (crude) —. . : j : . 1 pint 
Dilute as directed. 
This is one of the remedies occasionally recommended for killing 
root maggots. These maggots are not properly sucking insects, but 
because of the conditions under which they are found, the use of a 
contact insecticide is sometimes recommended. 
