THE INJURIOUS SCALE INSECTS AND :\IEALY BUGS, &c. 261 
bug with the fingers. The plants should then be carefully shaken and 
laid on their sides to drain. This process is frequently adopted by large 
growers of plants for table decoration, such, for instance, as Palms and 
Crotons. I have seen the process carried out by a competent and experi- 
enced plant foreman, in whose hands the work was a complete success, 
the insecticide used being a weak form of the " Kerosene Emulsion 
No. 1," but not exactly of the same proportions of soap and paraffin, the 
exact proportions being as follows : — 
J pint paraffin. 
^ lb. soft soap. 
3 gallons of soft water. 
The method of mixing is also different, and is done as follows : Place the 
paraffin and soap together in a vessel, and with the hands or a stick very 
thoroughly mix them together until there is no liquid paraffin left, after 
which the bulk of water is added hot. 
S2)0uging. 
" Gishurst's Compound " or soft soap is generally used for this purpose, 
but the process can only be carried out on comparatively large, smooth- 
leaved plants, such as Eucharis, Crotons, Palms, Camellias, &c. It is a 
favourite and at the same time thorough method, and is very generally 
adopted by horticulturists. 
Brush Application. — For all wall-trained trees, such as Peaches, 
Nectarines, Apples, Pears, &c., it is impossible to thoroughly apply a 
dressing by any other means than a brush. It is truly a laborious process, 
and entails a vast amount of time and patience, but with a good 
insecticide the results are - satisfactory. It is obvious the branches 
should be unwalled in order that they may be painted all round, 
taking special care to get behind [i.e. between the branches and the wall), 
as it is there the greatest number of scale accumulates. Where 
supporting shreds are of necessity left, these should receive careful 
attention. 
Spraying. — When a large number of trees have to be treated, which, 
fortunately, is rarely the case in England, or, as in large conservatories, 
where tall Palms, Creepers, &c., are out of reach, the only chance of 
applying an insecticide is with a spraying apparatus, such as a " Stott " 
syringe or sprayer. 
Dipping. — All that is necessary for this purpose is to provide a large 
wooden vessel or tub capable of holding from 3 to 6 gallons of the wash. 
The whole plant, minus the pot, is then plunged into the mixture. 
In the foregoing remarks it will be seen I have referred only to three 
patent insecticides, and, fearing it may be thought I might have selected 
others of equal value, I may say I have not done so for the simple reason 
that I have for the last few years had little or no opportunities for doing 
so. But during the coming season I anticipate conducting a number of 
experiments with all the leading insecticides, the results of which will 
be laid before the Royal Horticultural Society on the occasion of my next 
