14 BULLETIN 90, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
containing 40 per cent of nicotine at the rate of 1 part of the solution 
to from 1,000 to 2,000 parts of water, with whale-oil soap at the rate 
of 1 pound to 50 gallons of spray mixture. TVhen only a few rose 
bushes require treatment the spray may be prepared in small amounts 
as follows: To 1 teaspoonful of 40 per cent nicotine solution add 1 
to 2 gallons of water and one-half ounce of whale-oil soap. The soap 
should be shaved fine and dissolved hi hot water. 
There are on the market numbers of solutions containing less nico- 
tine than the foregoing which may be used with good results with 
the addition of whale-oil soap, as advised, at the strength recom- 
mended by the manufacturers. If these are not obtainable, very 
good results may be accomplished by dissolving 1 pound of whale- 
oil soap or 2 pounds of common laundry soap in from 4 to 6 gallons 
of water. Wherever possible, however, the nicotine solutions should 
be used, as better results will be obtained. 
This species, like practically all of the green aphides, can also be 
controlled by repeated applications of a forcible stream of cold water. 
Since the roses hi California and some other localities are much sub- 
ject to mildew, repeated use of this method has the disadvantage of 
increasing injury by this disease. In the case of the appearance of 
mildew, however, either through syringing with water or through 
the application of nicotine sulphate, this disease may be readily con- 
trolled by adding to the nicotine sulphate solution copper sulphate 
or blue vitriol at the rate of 1 pound to 50 gallons of water (approxi- 
mately 1 ounce to 3 gallons). A solution of copper sulphate used 
at this strength and sprayed on the plants after the application of 
the water treatment is effective hi controlling the mildew. Another 
common practice of florists for the prevention of mildew is to dust 
the plants immediately after sprinkling or watering with common 
flowers of sulphur. 
In order successfully to fight this insect these sprays should be 
applied with a compressed-air sprayer (PL III) or bucket pump 
capable of creating a fine penetrating spray. These pumps can 
usually be purchased at the seed stores at from $3.50 up to $15. The 
nicotine solutions are also carried by most seed stores. Where a 
pump is not to be obtained much can be accomplished by dipping 
the infested twigs into a pail of the solution of nicotine. 
From the experiments of the writer it is evident that this insect 
can be destroyed easily by the use of nicotine solutions of considera- 
bly less strength than have heretofore been used, but the treatment 
must be repeated at intervals to kill the aphides missed by former 
applications. With the different styles of pumps now on the market 
at low prices no one who cares for roses has the slightest excuse for 
allowing them to be injured by this insect. 
