290 Reporr or THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY OF THE 
The miscible oils are commercial insecticides and therefore the 
orchardist should understand that the reliability of the stock material 
rests with the compounder. These sprays are simple to prepare for 
use, and are convenient preparations for the treatment of odd trees 
and small orchards. ‘The cost of the miscible oils in the proportions 
of one part to ten or fifteen parts of water makes their use almost 
prohibitive for commercial orchardists who desire a safe and com- 
paratively cheap oil spray. Compounders of commercial insecti- 
cides should endeavor to produce a reliable miscible oil that is 
cheaper than present’brands, 
COMMERCIAL MISCIBLE OILS FOR TREATMENT OF 
| THE SAN JOSE SCALE. 
Crude and refined oils are among the most penetrating and de- 
structive of the contact insecticides, but as ordinarily employed for 
spraying purposes they must be used with much caution to prevent 
the applications from injuring the plant while destroying the insect. 
Rather than run the risks of injuries to his trees the average fruit- 
grower has largely avoided clear oils for orchard treatment. For 
these reasons a safer method for the use of oils in this capacity has 
long been desired. ‘To meet this demand there have appeared upon 
the market in recent years a number of sprays which have been 
designated Miscible Oils or Water-Soluble Oils. These prepa- 
rations have proprietary names and are known as Kil-o-Scale, 
Scalecide, Target Brand Scale Destroyer, Surekill, Water-Soluble 
Petroleum, etc. The important ingredients in the more efficient of 
these commercial insecticides are oils which have been combined 
with some emulsifying agent to facilitate a uniform dilution with 
water. In these emulsion preparations, oils are usually rendered 
safer for the treatment of trees while retaining much of their 
destructive properties upon insect life. 
The commerial miscible oils are concentrated liquids and cost from 
so cents to $1.25 per gallon, depending on the quantity purchased. 
The preparation of the mixture for use is simple. The directions 
on the container usually advise the operator to dilute with water 
using one gallon of the miscible oil to twenty or twenty-five gallons 
