66 
MANGOLD. 
With regard to methods by which paraffin may be applied as a 
wash without the difficulty occurring that is mentioned on p. 61 of the 
paraffin and water separating, the reader is referred to the U.S.A. 
plan, mentioned at p. 54 under Hop Aphis, by which paraffin or other 
mineral oils may he so thoroughly combined with soft-soap and water 
that the mixture can be further diluted with water to the strength 
needed without separating again. As far as my own experiments go 
the method of mixing answers, but the strength that is safe to use of 
course requires experiment. 
The following recipe, however, for a simple and effective method of 
making a mineral oil solution is the best that I have met with. The 
proportions and plan of mixing were worked into this practical form 
by the late Mr. Alex. Shearer, while at Yester, Haddingtonshire, who 
was a clever chemist as well as an able and intelligent gardener. The 
method has now been tried for some years, and found safe as well as 
serviceable, and is in regular use under the superintendence of Mr. 
Malcolm Dunn in the Gardens of the Duke of Buccleuch at Dalkeith 
Palace :—“To eight parts of soft water add one part of black (soft) soap, 
and boil briskly for a few minutes until the soap is thoroughly dis¬ 
solved. While boiling add paraffin, or any similar mineral oil, and 
boil for a minute or two longer, when the whole will be thoroughly 
amalgamated,* and, if bottled and securely corked while warm, it will 
remain so, and be fit for use at any time when required. The strength 
of the solution of course depends on the amount of mineral oil in it, 
and it can be easily reduced to the proper power by mixing it with soft 
water as it is wanted for use.” 
Mr. Malcolm Dunn gives me the following notes as to the method 
he finds most convenient for mixing the application :—“ In practice I 
boil the proper proportions of soap and water together, and when 
ready I fill this into ordinary wine-bottles, which have been placed in 
boiling water. The bottles are about half-filled with the lye, and then 
the paraffin is poured into them, two gills being put into each bottle. 
The bottles are then filled up with the boiling lye, corked at once, and 
stored away for use. 
“ When required for use a bottle of the mixture is poured into 
a four-gallon watering-pot, which is filled up with soft water, and is 
ready for use, at a strength of one wine-glass of paraffin (half a gill) 
to one gallon of water.” 
Mr. Dunn further notes that the important point is the proportion 
of the soap and water: —-“Eight jjarts water and one part soft-soap 
thoroughly amalgamated form the lye which takes mineral oil, and 
* For field use tlie immediate application would save all need of storing. For 
garden use the arrangement of bottling saves much risk from careless workers, as 
the exact amount to be used can be given out. 
