198 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



fungicide. The flowers of sulfur may be sprinkled o\tv the plants, 

 particularly when they are wet. It is most effective in hot, dry weather. 

 In rose houses it is mixed with half its bulk of lime, and made into a 

 paste with water. This is painted on the steam pipes. The fumes 

 destroy mildew on the roses. Mixed with lime, it has proved effective 

 in the control of onion smut when drilled into the rows with the seed. 

 Sulfur is not effective against black-rot of grapes. 



Treatment for some of the common insects. 



The most approved preventive and remedial treatments for 

 such insect pests as are most likely to menace home grounds 

 and plantations are here briefly discussed. In case of any un- 

 usual difficulty that he cannot control, the home-maker should 

 take it up with the agricultural experiment station in the state, 

 sending good specimens of the insect for identification. He 

 should also have the publications of the station. 



The statements that are here made are intended as advice 

 rather than as directions. They are chosen from good authori- 

 ties (mostly from Slingerland and Crosby in this case) ; but the 

 reader must, of course, assume his own risk in applying them. 

 The effectiveness of any recommended treatment depends very 

 largely on the care, thoroughness, and timeliness with which 

 the work is done; and new methods and practices are constantly 

 appearing as the result of new investigations. The dates given 

 in these directions are for New York. 



Aphis or plant-louse. — The stock remedies for aphides or plant- 

 lice are kerosene emulsion and the tobacco preparations. Whale-oil 

 soap is also good. The tobacco may be applied as a spray, or in the 

 house as fumigation ; the commercial forms of nicotine are excellent. 

 (See page 194.) Be sure to apply the remedy before the leaves have 

 curled and afford protection for the hce ; be sure, also, to hit the under- 

 side of the leaves, where the lice usually are. The presence of lice on 

 trees is sometimes first discovered from the honey-dew that drops on 

 walks. 



