For scale insects, dilute with 10 parts of water; for aphis and soft insects, with 15 or 20 parts water. In using kerosene emulsion, apply in fine spray. Remember it must come in contact with the insect to be effective.
The following list of implements and materials is suggestive rather than imperative. While all these things are useful many successful flower growers get along without many of them. At the same time, if one adds to the garden outfit from time to time, the expense will hardly be noticed and in the course of two or three years a fairly complete set will be accumulated. Do not feel in the least that in the meantime you cannot grow flowers successfully.
_Spade._ A good long-bladed sharp instrument should be procured, for use both in taking up plants and in cutting out sod, etc., for the compost heap and in "cutting down" the same for repiling.
_Hoe._ Get a long blade with a straight edge. See that the ferrule and shank are of one piece if you do not want to be bothered with a loose head.
_Sieve._ For small amounts of soil, an ordinary round coal ash sieve is just the thing. It is a good thing to have as it will insure getting soil for seeds and small pots to the proper degree of fineness.
_Trowel._ Don't buy a cheap trowel. They may be had for fifteen or twenty cents but a fifty-cent one will outlast a dozen of these and not break just when you need it most.
A sufficient quantity of soil constituents should be kept on hand in barrels or covered boxes. Store where they will not dry out.
_Rich Loam or Rotted Sod._ This is the basis of most plant soils. Keep a good supply ahead, that it may be thoroughly decomposed.
_Sand._ What is known as "Builders' Sand," medium, coarse and gritty, is the proper kind. Contrary to some horticultural superstitions, it makes no difference what the color is, "silver" or gray, red, white or yellow.
_Leaf-mould._ Easily procured by scraping aside the top layer near some stone wall or hollow in the woods where leaves collect and rot from year to year.
_Sphagnum moss_ is another very valuable accessory. It can be gathered in most swampy places or bought cheaply at the florist's.
_Peat._ Not obtainable in all localities, but it can be bought cheap from florists. Found under mucky bog-swamps but must be thoroughly dried and pulverized before use.