Our  Canaries 
Small  single  cages,  when  practicable,  should  be  plunged  overhead  in  a  copper 
of  boiling  water  for  ten  minutes,  which  will  effect  a  perfect  clearance  of  the  insects 
m  all  stages.  This  excellent  method  has  been  objected  to  on  the  plea  that 
immersion  in  hot  water  will  warp  the  wood,  and  by  opening  joints  offer  still 
further  inducements  for  re-infestation.  This  would  undoubtedly  happen  if  one 
attempted  to  boil  a  cage  and  allowed  it  to  float  in  the  water  only  partly  sub- 
merged, but  if  care  is  taken  to  see  that  it  is  completely  submerged  beneath  the 
water  from  the  beginning  so  that  all  parts  of  the  wood  are  simultaneously  exposed 
to  the  action  of  the  water  it  will  be  found  that  this  objection  falls  to  the  ground. 
In  lieu  of  this  the  cages  should  be  well  scraped  out,  washed  thoroughly  with  a 
disinfecting  fluid,  or  insect  destroyer,  two  or  three  times,  at  intervals  of  three 
days  between  each  washing,  and  finally  re-distempered,  enamelled,  or  varnished, 
as  the  case  may  be. 
Of  insecticides  there  is  a  rather  extensive  choice,  but  as  some  are  poisonous, 
others  destructive,  and  still  others  too  expensive  for  the  average  fancier's  general 
use,  the  selection  may  be  reduced  to  a  few  of  the  cheaper,  and  yet  efficient,  kinds. 
A  solution  of  carbolic  in  the  proportion  of  one  ounce  of  carbolic  fluid  to  a  gallon 
of  water  is  a  good,  and  generally  useful,  wash.  It  should  be  carefully  applied  with 
a  small  brush,  by  which  it  can  be  worked  well  into  the  corners  and  joints. 
FLUID  DESTROYERS. 
But  the  most  speedy  and  deadly  application,  as  far  as  either  of  these  classes 
of  insects  are  concerned,  it  has  been  our  lot  to  discover  is  a  solution  of  camphor 
in  methylated  spirit—an  ounce  of  camphor  in  half  a  pint  of  spirit  may  be  used, 
or,  when  using  it  extensively,  as  for  painting  all  over  cages,  it  may  be  diluted 
with  another  half  pint  of  spirit.  The  strong  solution  is,  however,  best  for 
localised  application,  such  as  touching  the  ends  of  perches,  painting  over  joints, 
or  particular  spots  where  mites  are  believed  to  be  in  hiding.  The  sole  dis- 
advantage is  that  it  destroys  the  varnish  on  the  outside  of  the  cages  if  allowed 
to  remain  in  contact  with  it  any  appreciable  length  of  time.  On  the  other  hand, 
its  safety  and  effectiveness  are  second  to  none,  and  although  it  has  a  powerful, 
but  not  altogether  unpleasant,  odour,  it  passes  away  in  a  few  moments,  and  may 
thus  be  used  quite  safely  upon  cages  occupied  by  birds. 
Since  we  first  gave  this  remedy  to  the  Fancy  at  large  it  has  become  popular 
in  various  semi-disguised  forms,  such  as  the  addition  of  a  proportion  of  paraffin 
or  turpentine.  Probably  either  form  has  practically  the  same  effect,  but  these 
additions  add  more  to  the  unpleasantness  of  the  odour  than  they  do  to  its 
effectiveness.  Still,  as  each  form  possesses  high  merits,  it  is  immaterial  which 
one  happens  to  be  in  favour. 
For  local  application,  fir  tree  oil  is  an  excellent  preparation,  as  also  is 
concentrated  essence  of  quassia,  either  of  which  may  be  bought  in  small  bottles. 
