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XLIV. On a Wash for Fruit Trees. In a Letter to the 

 Secretary. Bij John Braddick, Esq. F. II. S. 



Read May 20, 1823. 



My Dear Sir, 



Amongst the many washes which I have employed for the 

 destruction of insects, on fruit trees, I have met with none so 

 effectual as the water through which the coal gas is passed, 

 for the purpose of purifying it. Its extremely foetid smell 

 led me to think that no insect could resist its influence, and 

 in this, I believe, I have not been deceived. I mix one pound 

 of flower of brimstone in three gallons of gas water, and add 

 soft soap enough to make it adhere to the buds and branches 

 when laid on with a painter's brush ; the composition may be 

 mixed over fire with safety, as it is not inflammable. 



It is important to those who wish to try the experiment to 

 know, that it does no injury to the trees ; with me it has been 

 fairly tried under glass, on the most delicate of all trees, (the 

 Flat Peach of China) which is now breaking into full leaf 

 with great vigour. 



I am, my dear Sir, your's truly, 



Thames Ditton, JOHN BrADDICK. 



March 4, 1823. 



VOL. V. 



