22 
The samples taken home are examined under a microscope, the per- 
centages of scales showing work of parasites, females with eggs, young 
females, males, and dead from unknown causes, ascertained by actual 
count. Two days after, another examination is made, the appearance 
of the tree and scales noted, samples taken, and percentages of living 
larvae and eggs noted, as before ; these visits and examinations are re- 
peated at intervals. A standard quantity of improved murvite was 
used containing 50 per cent, of kerosene. 
The commencement of exact experiments under your directions be- 
came a continuation of work I had been engaged in during the previous 
three months, which I mention for the reason that the rainy season was 
over when I received the commission, and very different results were 
obtained during the hot, dry weather following. 
During the wet season, when several heavy showers fell every day y 
and the trees were continually damp, a strong solution was repeatedly 
applied to scales one day, and when examined on the next, nearly all 
would be gone, and within a week, on exposed parts, no scales could be 
found. 
When the dry season came there was a great difference, the cause of 
which was not immediately discovered. It was found that evaporation 
was so rapid that a solution applied to scales dried in less than half an 
hour. As without moisture murvite cannot act, various means for pre- 
venting this drying were tried; success was obtained by using a large 
percentage of free soap. One-half pound of laundry soap to one gallon 
of solution was found to answer ; the scales remaining moist and loose, 
even when exposed to the direct rays of the sun. 
In dry weather, following an application of murvite with water, with- 
in a half an hour, produces a decidedly good effects. The scales of My- 
tilaspis turn bluish-white and leave the tree much sooner than without 
the water. 
By using a strong solution, one part murvite to ten parts water, and 
as soon as the scales are loose, throwing a large, solid stream of water 
from a good force pump directly on the scales, if force enough be used, 
all the scales of Mytilaspis, Lecanium, and Ceroplastes can be washed 
from the branches strong enough to resist the stream. 
The scales are loosened to some extent by water only. To test to 
what extent the loosening by solutions might be attributed to water, 
the scales (Mytilaspis) on a tree were sprayed with water ; after a few 
minutes they were slightly loose. A solid stream of water from the 
aquajet was then played upon the scales. With the greatest force ob- 
tainable, and the stream applied to the best advantage, not one scale, 
was washed off. The same stream used in the same way had been 
often used after spraying with murvite, and the scales of the same 
variety nearly all washed off by it. 
With Parlatoria it is advisable to always wash them off. This can 
the more readily be done, as, from my observation, they prefer the bark 
