April, ’24] 
COMPTON: LUBRICATING OILS FOR SCALE 
223 
The lubricating oil emulsion spray at 1% strength has proven itself 
90-100% efficient in controlling scale insects on palms and rubber 
plants without injury to the foliage. In large amounts the stock 
emulsion is used at the rate of 1 gallons to 100 gallons of water. 
For smaller amounts 2 ounces to 1 gallon of water is satisfactory. 
Preparation of “Boiled” Lubricating Oil Emulsion Formula for Stock 
Emulsion 
Oil—(Sp. Gr. 0.886—viscosity 365.3—Volatility 4.9% 1 gallon 
Water C gallon 
*Potash fish-oil soap 2 pounds 
The water, soap and oil are placed in a kettle or other receptacle and 
heated to a boil. Boil for about five minutes being careful not to bum 
the mixture, remove from the fire or turn off the steam and pump 
twice at a pressure of 50 to 150 pounds. Make sure that all the mixture 
passes thru the pump twice. Do not allow the mixture to cool before 
pumping. 
A barrel pump has been found adequate for preparing the emulsion 
in sufficient quantities for greenhouse work. 
Precaution should be taken to prevent the stock emulsion from freez¬ 
ing. 
The following are the most troublesome and destructive of the scale 
insects with which we have to deal in greenhouses in this district, they 
are given in the order of their importance. 
Palms and Ficus sp. 
(1) The Circular or Florida Red Scale, Chysomphalus aonidum Linn., 
commonly found on Kentia sp., K. forsteriana , K. belmoreana, Phoenix 
sp., Latania borbonica and Ficus sp. 
(2) The Oleander Scale, Aspidiotus hederae Vail. Commonly found on 
Kentia sp., Phoenix sp., and the areca palm, Areca vers chaffeltii. 
(3) The Tessellated Palm Scale, Lecaniwn tessellatum Sign., found 
principally on Kentia sp. and the areca palm, Areca vers chaffeltii. 
Ferns. 
(1) The Fern Scale, Flemichionaspis aspidistrae Sign., which is most 
destructive on the Boston fern. 
*The amount of soap depends on the hardness of the water. In this work I have 
used 2 pounds in every case. 
