508 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



should be carried out as closely as possible, as otherwise the result may be different to what 

 was expected. 



ARSENATE OF LEAD. -Dissolve ioz. of arsenate of soda in a little water and pour it 

 into a vessel containing 16 gallons of water, dissolve 30Z. of acetate of lead in a little 

 water, pour it into the solution of arsenate of soda, and stir in 2lb. of treacle or some paraffin 

 emulsion in order to make the mixture adhere better to the leaves. Used to kill young 

 caterpillars and slugworms. 



CARBOLIC ACID. — One pint of crude carbolic acid, 1 quart of so f t soap, well mixed in 

 2 gallons of hot water, used as a winter wash on the stems and boughs of trees, one part of 

 the acid to 50 or 100 parts of water. Sometimes useful in destroying insects at the roots 

 of plants. 



CAUSTIC Alkali SOLUTION. — Dissolve 1 lb. of caustic soda in 1 gallon of water, then 

 add fib. of carbonate of potash, stir until all is dissolved, and add 9 gallons of water ; last of all 

 add iooz. of soft soap w hich has been dissolved in a little boiling water, mix thoroughly, and 

 tlie solution is ready for use. Tins mixture is often used without the soft soap, but the soap 

 makes it adhere much better. This mixture is very caustic, and should not be allowed to get 

 upon the skin or clothes. It is used as a winter wash for trees infested with American Blight 

 and other insects. 



GAS Lime. — If soil that is infested with wireworms, other insects, and snake millipedes, 

 is dressed with gas lime, at the rate of Jib. to ilb. per square yard, the pesis will be killed, 

 but nothing should be planted in the soil for at least nine months afterw ards. 



NITRATE OF SODA. — A strong solution of nitrate of soda is said to kill snake millipedes 

 if they are immersed in it ; it is useful to water plants that are attacked at the roots by 

 these creatures or by grubs with it. 



PARAFFIN EMULSION. — This is one of the most useful insecticides. It may be made 

 by dissolving 1 quart of soft soap in 2 quarts of boiling water ; while the water is still 

 boiling add 1 pint of paraffin oil (it is not safe, however, to do this over a fire), and at once 

 work the mixture through a syringe for 5111m. or iomin., when there should be a perfect 

 emulsion. To 1 pint of the emulsion add 10 pints of soft water before using it. A mixture very 

 like the above, but w ith the addition of a certain amount of naphthalene, has been devised by 

 Mr H. H. Cousins, of the Agricultural College, Wye, Kent, which is said to be a great 

 improvement on the ordinary emulsion. Full instructions for its preparation for private use 

 can be obtained from him, and it is sold in " tile market " under the name of " Paranaph." 

 Paraffin simply mixed in water is not a good insecticide to use, as it is so difficult to keep it 

 properly mixed, and if it is not, much injury may be done to the plants to which it is applied. 

 All kinds of sucking insects may be destroved by this emulsion. 



Paris GREEN. — This very poisonous substance is most useful in killing all kinds of 

 biting insects, but it should always be used with care. It is better to purchase it as a paste 

 than as a powder, as it does not then blow about when handled. " Blundell's Paste" is 

 highly recommended. One ounce should be used with every 12 gallons of water, and two 

 parts of lime should be added for every part of the Paris green (bulk for bulk). Paris green 

 is very heavy, and unless the mixture is kept constantly stirred it will sink to the bottom of 

 the vessel, and the quantity used will not be all of the same strength ; some will be too weak 

 and will not kill the pests, the remainder will be too strong and will injure the foliage. Some of 

 the knapsack sprayers are fitted with a device for keeping the liquid properly mixed. This 

 insecticide should not be used when trees are in flower, or bees which are visiting the blossoms 

 will be killed. Nor should it be used on fruit trees or bushes within a month of the fruit 

 becoming ripe. 



QUASSIA and Soft Soap Wash.— One pound of quassia chips should be soaked in cold 

 water for three hours, and then boiled for at least twelve hours in a gallon of water ; strain out 

 the chips, add iooz. of soft soap, and enough water to make 10 gallons of the mixture, 



