US374011A - Thomas w - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS W. SMITH, OF SANTA ROSA, OALIF ORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN H. HOLMARitOF SAME PLACE.

EMULSION TO PROTECT FRUIT-TREES.

SPECIFICATION forming part or Letters Patent No. 374,011, dated November 29, 1887.

Application filed February 16, 1887.

Se1'ial No. 227.808. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. S ITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at- Santa Rosa, in the county of Sonoma and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Insecticides; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a fu11,c1ear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a mixture or com pound for the destruction of insects injurious to vegetation, and is especially adapted for the extermination of those vegetable parasites called scale-bugs, which prey upon fruittrees,honse-plants,and ornamental shrubbery;

and my invention consists in mixing together certain ingredients in the manner and propor-.

tions substantially as follows: About four pounds of laundry-soap and one pound of ordinary dairy-butter are melted and thoroughly mixed together. This compound should then be allowed to become sufficiently cool to bear the pressure of the hand, at which point about one quart of rice-water or equivalent starchy solution and about two table-spoonsful of coal or kerosene oil should be added and thoroughly mixed until the whole is assimilated. The

compound can then be diluted with water to any desired consistency or strength, after which it is ready for use. The glutinous properties of the rice-water serve to overcome the volatile character of the kerosene-oil and prevent it from evaporating. The rice-Water also makes the compound or emulsion moreperfectly adhere to the object to which it is applied, and it also serves to render the compound less soluble and moreimpervious to rain.

It may be applied in any well-known manner. Au effectual way of applying it to shrubs is by spraying, and to tree-tops and trees by means of a brush. When once applied,it does not easily wash oft by rains, and it forms an incrustation destructive to insect life.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters