43 



winter, between December and the 1st of March. During this 

 period the mealy wing cannot fly away to escape the spray, 

 being in the mature larval or pupal stage and fixed immovably 

 to the lower surface of the leaf. Furthermore to be thoroughly 

 effective, the resin wash must remain on the trees at least one 

 or two days, and as this is usually a dry season it is not likely 

 to be washed off soon. If thoroughly done three or four spray- 

 ings during the period mentioned, at intervals of one or two 

 weeks, will be found an efficient treatment. It is probably best 

 to delay the sprayings until the fruit has been removed. 

 Should it be found necessary, treatments may also be made 

 during May and the first half of June and again cluriug the 

 latter part of August and first of September. 



In spraying it is important to wet thoroughly the under 

 surface of every leaf. In treating this disease it has been 

 found a good practice to trim the trees within, about the trunk 

 and main limbs, thus leaving the greater part of the foliage 

 near the outer parts of the tree. This greatly facilitates 

 spraying, which must be done largely from under the tree, the 

 spray being directly outward in order to wet the lower surfaces 

 of the leaves. Where trees are trimmed out in this way an 

 abundance of water sprouts usually spring up on the main 

 limbs. The mealy wing generally lay its eggs on these in 

 great numbers, and after a bro< d of mature winged inst cts 

 have disappeared, it is a good practice to prune off these water 

 sprouts and burn them. In this way great numbers of these 

 insects may be destroyed at slight expense. 



Fumigation with hydrocyanic gas, in the way it is generally 

 used, is also a very effective remedy. One treatment during 

 the year, if properly made should be sufficient. In the case of 



fore, be thoroughly stirred each time before measuring out to dilute so 

 as to uniformly mix this precipitate with the clear dark amber brown 

 liquid which forms by far the larger part of the stock preparation. An 

 instrument like a churn dasher without perforations grealty facilitates 

 rapid and thorough mixing. When desired for use take one part of the 

 stock preparation to nine parts of water. If the wash be desired for 

 immediate use, the materials after boiling and while still hot, may be 

 poured directly into the spray tank and diluted with cold water up to 

 150 gallons. This requires the addition of about 135 gallons of water. 



If a fluid stock solution is preferred the wash may be prepared as 

 follows : Place the same proportions of resin, caustic soda, and fish oil 

 in the kettle and pour over them from 15 to 17 gallons of water. Boil 

 until the resin is thoroughly dissolved and then dilute with cold water 

 while the solution is st : ll very hot, to exactly 21 gallons. To get this 

 exact amount the barrel may hv prepared and marked in the manner 

 already described. This will form a clear dark amber brown solution 

 which at ordinary Florida, temperatures will remain perfectly fluid. For 

 use dilute the whole formula to .1 £0 gallons or use in the proportion of 

 1 part of the stock solution to 6 parts of water. 



