January i, 1891 .] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
49 , 
so wore other spocifics which were occasiouslly used. 
One geufcleinaii had reoominoDded acetic acid, hut it 
was not necessary to use such poisonous cheroicals ; 
there wore a number ot remedies less dangerous and 
equally as effective. Loudon purple was an aniline 
product of coal tar. * All coal tar compounds were 
effective. Naphthaline and creosote w'ere ciieap, but 
diflicult to use. Creosote was not soluble in water, 
but it was possible to make an emulsion of it with 
alkalies. Tobacco and nicotine were largely used as 
specifics, but they were too expensive. A mixture of 
caustic soda, tar, and resin had been suggested as a 
cure for apple blight. The first-named ingredient 
was a dangerous thing to bave in the household, and 
the mixture, when prepared, was merely a resinous 
soap which could be purchased for a few pence, and 
thus all trouble and danger would be saved. 
Mr. Stiema iuquired “what strength of kerosene 
spray was required for the mussel blight {Mytilasins 
pomorMii). 
Mr. Thompson replied that the emulsion was prepared 
in this way: — To one gallon of milk, brought up to 
boiling point, add two gallons of kerosene. If preferred 
they oould use half a pound of soap to a gallon of 
water, brought to boiling point, and the kerosene 
churned in that for some time. This, with nine or ten 
times the quantity of water, could be effectively applied 
with a common cyoloiie-uozzle. 
The digging in of ashes round the roots of 
trees was said to prevent pests. I have quoted 
very largely already, but to make the information 
on insecticides complete I must add the following 
summary of the results of very dearly bought 
experience in America as to the best remedies for 
pests : — 
Insecticides. 
The following notes by Dr. J. C. Neal, the Ento- 
mologist to the State Agricultural OolU-ge, Florida, 
U. S. A., will be found of interest : — 
Nothing has been done in praotical entomology that 
has shown better results than the use of emulsions cou- 
taiuing kerosene or insoluble poison held in suspen- 
sion, and their application to iiifeoced plants in a fine 
spray by various atomizers and spray pumps. With 
one of these machines an insecticide can be brought 
into contact with tbc insect, and its feeding ground 
thoroughly impregnated with poison. It is needful 
that tho spray be very fine, and that it be applied with 
force to reach every infected part, or the hiding-places 
of insects. Tor cases like infected buildings, as chicken- 
bonses, that are usually very difficult to keep clear of 
mites and tick-fleas, the spray of carbolized white- 
wash, tobacco, kerosene, oil of tansy, &c., is easily 
applied. 
i append a few formulas that have been tried and 
found to be valuable : — 
I. Solutions. 
1. Tobacco, 1 lb. ; boiliug water, 3 gallons, strain 
when cool. Very effective when used as a spray against 
flees, beetles, lice, aphides (plant lice), and ticks. 
2. Quassia chips, i lb. ; boiliug water, 3 gallons. This 
very bitter solution is good for prevention rather than 
cure. Apply as a spray to rose bushes aud to kill 
plant lice. 
3. Pyrethrum; 1 ounce of the “Buhach ” powder 
added to 2 gallons of cold water for cabbage, beets, 
tobacco, or any plant used for food, as this is not 
poisonous. 
4. London purple, Paris green; actively poisonous. 
Use 1 lb. of the poison to 200 gallons water or other 
solutions. Dissolve a little flour paste in the water to 
* London Purple is a refuse obtained in the manu- 
faoturo of aniline dyes, aud consists of lime, arsenic, 
and carbonaceous matter. It was first used against 
lusects ill America in 1873, aud i.s tbero much prizod 
on account of its cheapness as iigaiust Paris ^reen 
which costs twelve times as much. It is more soluble, 
less poisonous, more adhesive aud periuaueiit in its 
effects, and of a decided colour, It is now imported 
by Elliott Bros., O’Conuoll-Btreet. — Editor, 
make it sticky. Stir frequently. Applied to trees, it is 
a sure cure for ail insect plagues. 
5. Bordeaux mixture : this, while primarily a fungi- 
cide, has some good qualities as an insecticide. It is 
prepared thus : 11 b. sulphate copper, dissolve in 1 
galioii hot water in one vessel ; iii another, 1 lb. rock 
lime is slaked in Ig gallons cold water, and, when cool, 
pour into tbe copper solution and strain; add 2 gallons 
water, and it is ready for use. (Cook.) 
6 . To this, add London purple, 1 lb. to 200 gallons of 
the Bordeaux mixture. Ttiis sprayed over nou-beariug 
grape, vines or tomato vines not m bloom, &c., will pre- 
vent rot and insect life as well. 
7. Soap : 1 lb. resin soap to 1 gallon hot water. This, 
used as a spray, is otten a valuable remedy for the 
attacks of small aud soft insects. In fact it can be 
used to advantage for soft scales, when they are few. 
It should be often used to get tbe best effect. 
8 . Water in which tar has been placed acquires some 
value as an insecticide. 
II. Emulsions. 
(Soap is used as the basis of most of these.) 
1. Stronger emulsion of kerosene: 4 lb. soap, dis- 
solve in 1 gallon hot (boiliug) water; remove from the 
fire and add 2 gallons kerosene while hot. Churn with 
a spray pump violently till the oil is emulsified ; add 27 
gallons cold water for use. 
2. Weaker emulsion (Cook): I lb. soap, dissolve in 
2 gallons hot water as before, but add only i gallon 
kerosene and dilute till 8 gallons solution are made. 
Adding A pint spirits turpentine to No. i increased its 
stability (Tracy). Allowing even 40 gallons of water 
to be added to 1 gallon of the emulsion and sprayed on 
tomato worms, it was very effective, and did not injure 
the plant in the least. 
3. Emulsion 1: Adding 2 oz. of balsam of fir with tho 
kerosene makes an emulsion that adheres better to tbe 
suriace of leaves, and is slightly superior to No. 1 for 
tho armoured scales. 
4. Using emulsion 2, only substituting the same 
quantity crude carbolic acid for kerosene, is especially 
valuable for oak aud pear insects. 
5. The same formula, using oil of tansy or sassafras 
1 oz. in place of the J gallon kerosene, is efficacious for 
roaches, mites, ticks, bed-bugs, and pests. 
III. Absbnical, Kesinous, and other Compounds 
FOB yPRAYING. 
1. To kerosene emulsion No. 1 add 1 oz. London 
purple, aud mix well. Highly recommended, 
2. Resin compound : Caustic soda, 1 lb. ; resin 8 lb. ; 
to make 32 gallons compound. Dissolve the soda in 
1 gallon boiling water ; take out half; add the resin 
slowly to the remainder and boil, stirring rapidly ; 
when dissolved, add slowly tbe part taken out. Dilute 
till it will pass readily through a thin cloth, whieU 
should be always done. Dilute before using to 32 
gallons. This alone is very valuable against most scales, 
but the addition of 2 oz. Loudon purple makes assur- 
ance doubly sure against even the dreaded Icerya. 
3. White arsenic, gib. ; sal soda Jib.; water, g gal- 
lon ; boil till a aomtioii is made, then dilute to a 
gallon. 1 quart of this to 50 gallons resin comjiouud — 
use on peach, pear, aud plum, either after fruit is 
gathered or just as bloom has fallen. 
IV. Powders. 
1. AYhile slaking 1 peck fresh lime, add 1 quart 
kerosene, sift out lumps ; apply lightly to cuoumDets, 
melons, aud tomatos, for beetles and squash-bugs. 
2. 50 lb. laud plaster, mix 1 pint crude carbolic 
acid ; sprinkle over leaves and vines for aphides aud 
beetles. 
3. Pyrethrum : This, the powdered flowers of the 
pyrethrum, when fresh, is especially valuable if 
sprinkled on infected leaves, or in boxes, drawers, &c. 
House flies aud mosquitoes are easily subdued by closing 
nil the room tightly aud slowly burning in it a spuou- 
lul of the powder. It is slightly narcotic, but not ai all 
dangerous to human life. For infected cabbage, let- 
tuce, celery and the like, or tobacco, it is Uie best 
iuseotioide we have, iuvolviug no danger if eaten, 
