260 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
" buggy " vines. But like other patent insecticides it is much too costly 
to use on a large scale. 
No. 6. — Lime-ivasJi or Lime-water. 
This should be made of good fresh lime. I have twice seen this 
applied to Peach and Nectarine for destroying the Brown Scale 
{Lecanium persicce). In both instances less than 50 per cent, of the 
insects were destroyed. In applying this to the trees the operator 
should wear gloves, as the caustic properties of the lime burn the 
hands terribly. 
No. 7. — Caustic Soda Wash. 
This consists of the following ingredients : — 
1 lb. ground caustic soda. 
I lb. pearl ash. 
10 oz. soft soap. 
10 gallons of water. 
Apply at a temperature of 130° Fahrenheit. 
This has been frequently recommended for dressing Peach and other 
trees infested with scale. Having personally witnessed both the mixing 
and application of this mixture, I can speak with certainty as to its effect 
upon the Brown Peach Scale. In the winter of 1899 this mixture was 
applied to a number of Peach trees (under glass) with an ordinary paint 
brush. The result was fairly satisfactory, and, judging from the number 
of females which appeared in the spring, I should estimate that about 
GO per cent, of the insects were killed. The application certainly did 
not appear to injure the trees ; in fact one of the largest and best crops 
of fruit was grown. Seeing the enormous percentage of various alkalies 
the preparation contains, it would certainly be unsafe to make an 
annual application of this mixture, as it must in time prove fatal to 
the health of the trees. Moreover it is a painful experience applying 
it, and for these reasons I certainly do not approve of its general use. 
No. 8. — Clay and Suli)hur, or Coiv Dung and Sulphur. 
Such mixtures are absolutely useless against " scale insects," and clay 
or cow dung in any form I have found most objectionable. T have so 
frequently seen them used against the Brown Peach Scale that I am 
quite confident of the results obtained, and from practical experience 
I cannot too strongly condemn their use against insects of any kind. 
Methods of Applying the Insecticides. 
In this country the application of insecticides against coccids is usually 
performed with a brush or sponge, which is the most effectual plan, as it 
gives decidedly the best results. But where large quantities of trees and 
plants have to be dealt with, which is often the case, the applications 
should be made with a syringe, or, as in the case of small plants, such as 
Palms and Crotons, &c., they can be expeditiously treated by dipping 
them in the mixture, care being taken to remove all the visible scale or 
