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It is necessary that the
gardener should have a hogshead set in the ground always at hand in
dry weather, containing solutions made of waste tobacco, lime, soot,
elder, burdock leaves, etc. A portion of these ingredients, or any
other preparation that is pernicious or poisonous to insects,
without injuring the plants, thrown into a hogshead kept filled up
with water, if used moderately over beds of young plants in dry
weather, would, in almost every case, insure a successful crop. Such
liquid, however, should never be used when the sun shines; and if
applied too abundantly to the leaves, there is danger, sometimes,
that the leaves and stems will be destroyed.
From the 1866 book,
THE AMERICAN GARDENER'S ASSISTANT
Saltpetre is pernicious
to many species of insects; it is also an excellent manure, and may
be used to great advantage when dissolved in the proportion of one
pound to four gallons of water. This liquid, applied to plants
through the rose of a watering-pot, will preserve health and vigor.
Soapsuds are equally beneficial, if used occasionally in the same
manner-say once a week. These remedies, applied alternately, have
been known to preserve melon and cucumber-vines from the ravages of
the yellow-fly, bugs, blight, etc., and to keep the plants in a
thriving condition.
From the 1866 book,
THE AMERICAN GARDENER'S ASSISTANT
Mealy bugs can be
destroyed by syringing with soap suds and kerosene. Make the suds of
home-made soap, rather strong, and add a teaspoonful of oil to a
gallon of suds, mixing thoroughly before applying. Apply with a good
brass syringe that will throw the material forcibly against the
foliage. Use once a week, and syringe with clean water daily. This
treatment will soon entirely destroy the mealy bug, one of the most
tenacious of our insect pests.
From PARKS FLORAL
MAGAZINE, 1893
A decoction of the
Tomato plant proves a valuable insecticide. The stems and leaves are
boiled in water, which, when cold, is used upon plants affected with
insects; it is applied with a syringe, or plant-sprinkler. It
destroys green-fly, caterpillars, &c., and leaves upon the plant an
odor which prevents the attack of insects for a long time. The
remedy is stated to be more effectual than fumigating and washing.
From VICKS MONTHLY
MAGAZINE, 1879
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