258 JOUEX-IL OF THE EOYAL HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
foreign substances should be removed, and the plant or plants afterwards 
T^-atched for any signs of the development of scale or bug. 
Coccids are also freely imported into this country on Oranges and 
Lemons, including the troublesome and destructive Aspidiotus aurantii' 
Care should therefore be taken not to place infested fruit near to growing 
plants, and the rinds of all infested fruit should be destroyed. 
The encouragement of the various species of Tits, the Tree-creeper, 
and other insectivorous birds in our gardens is also a sure means of 
checking the increase of certain coccids, and their presence in our 
gardens during winter should never be denied : their services at such 
times cannot be overrated, and more especially so that of the true Blue 
Tit. I am fully aware of the injury caused by these feathered acrobats 
to Apples and Pears, but, in view of their excellent services, give them all 
the encouragement you can afford. In winter encourage their presence 
by throwing out an occasional handful of maize : this will attract them, 
and will generally keep them within the bounds of your garden. When 
they have finished the food which has been given them, which need not 
be too plentiful, they will fill in the hours by incessantly searching for 
insects, and where Mussel Scale " abounds they freely eat it. (See also 
chapter on " Natural Enemies of Coccids.") 
Insecticides. 
Xo. 1. — Parcijfin and Soap, or ^'Kerosene Emulsion.'" 
This is one of the most effective insecticides, and may be used as a 
remedy against various insect pests. Under varying proportions of the 
ingredients it has been in use for a number of years, and has found 
much favour among horticulturists. The only difficulty with this pre- 
paration is, to obtain a perfect emulsion, which, for obvious reasons, 
must be made, and to ensure this use the following proportions : — 
Soap ... ... ... ^ lb. 
Kerosene (paratfin) ... 2 gals. 
Soft water ... ... 1 gal. 
Boil the soap in the water, and when thoroughly dissolved and still 
hot add the parafiin and churn with a syringe until a white creamy 
mixture has been obtained. If the instructions are properly carried out 
the ingredients will not separate. The mixture may be set aside for 
future use in corked bottles, or, as I prefer, used at once. For bark appli- 
cations add to this nine times the quantity of hot soft water, and again 
churn with a syringe until the ingredients have again amalgamated. 
The application should be made in the winter months with a stiff' 
brush, taking care to rurj it well into the old rough bark, and to 
thoroughly soak any shreds which may of necessity have to be left as 
supports to the branches of wall trees. Some prefer to use the mixture 
while hot, say at a temperature of 130° F., but for outdoor work I have 
found it quite impossible to maintain any given temperature. The 
secret of siiccess lies chiefly in a perfect emulsion, and thorough applica- 
tion of it. 
From recent experiments conducted in a large Peach house I find 
