27 
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 liable 
to be washed off soon. If thoroughly done, three or four sprayings 
during the period mentioned, at intervals of one to two weeks, will be 
found an efficient treatment. It is probably best to delay the spray- 
ings 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 during 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 directed outward in order to wet the lower sur- 
faces of the leaves. Where trecs are trimmed out in this way an 
abundance of water sprouts usually spring up on the main limbs. The 
mealy wing generally lays its eggs on these in great numbers, and after 
a brood of mature winged insects 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 acid 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 fumigation the 
treatment should be made some time between December and the first of 
March. During this period the temperature is usually much lower 
than at any other time, and this is a feature of importance. In treat- 
ing this disease it has been found more effective to allow the gas to 
act for a slightly longer period than usual, say about forty minutes. 
A parasitic fungus, Aschersonia tahitensis, has been found which 
attacks and destroys the larve and pup: of the mealy wing, and bids 
fair to be of great aid in combating this pest. It forms small, wart-like, 
stock preparation. An instrument like a churn dasher, without perforations, greatly 
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 addi- 
tion 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 still very hot, to exactly 21 
gallons. To get this exact amount the barrel may be 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 150 gallons or use in the proportions of one part of the stock 
solution to six parts of water. 
