338 



Red Spider, 



mites were thickly covered with particles of sulphur, and the 

 mites in the webs immediately in contact with the sulphur 

 were lively and unconcerned. Paraffin emulsion has been 

 of considerable effect when used in the early stages of the 

 attack. This is made by mixing 0 lbs. of soft soap and 7 

 gallons of paraffin with 100 gallons of water. The soap is 

 dissolved first in boiling water and poured into a tub 

 containing the paraffin, the whole being churned up with 

 a force pump. The mixture is afterwards diluted to the 

 proper strength. It is important that the water used for this 

 emulsion should be soft ; it can be made soft by adding soda 

 or borax. 



Sulphide of potassium, known commonly as liver of 

 sulphur, the foundation of several washes for insects, has also 

 been used with some advantage. It is readily soluble in 

 cold water, but it must not be allowed to stand, as it loses 

 strength rapidly. It may be applied in the proportion of 

 2j lbs. to 100 gallons of water ; a little soft soap mixed with 

 it tends to keep it upon the leaves. 



Liver of sulphur is also a remedy for some fungoid affec- 

 tions of plants, and would probably be more efficacious than 

 sulphur applied in the form of a powder. It is so soluble 

 that it may be put in with soft soap and quassia and with 

 other insectifuges and insecticides. 



