296 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



EXPERIMENTS IN BEN DAVIS ORCHARD NO. 2. 



One large block of Ben Davis covering about 8 acres, al- 

 though in need of thorough stimulation, gave promise of a 

 moderate yield per tree in 1910 and was in a sufficiently thrifty 

 and uniform condition for the inauguration of definite experi- 

 mental work. It was therefore divided into plots for the fol- 

 lowing experiments : 



1. (Comprising 2 acres). A study of lime-sulphur sprays. 



A. With regard to their fungicidal efficiency as substi- 



tutes for bordeaux mixture. 



B. Their effect on foliage and fruit in respect to injury. 



C. The insecticidal eft'ectiveness of lead arsenate in 



combination with them. 



D. The relation of possible injury to leaf and fruit by 



such combination. 



2. (Comprising 2 1-2 acres). A comparison of organic 



fertilizer in the form of stable manure vs. a complete 

 chemical fertilizer. 



3. (Comprising 2 2-3 acres). A comparison of clean culti- 



vation vs. pasturage with sheep and with hogs. 



4. (Comprising 2-3 acre). A comparison of cultivation 



with the sod mulch method. 



The 1910 results of the experiment with spray materials 

 have been reported in Bulletin 189 of this Station, entitled 

 "Orchard Spraying Experiments." Seasonal conditions of 

 that year were unusual, and resulted in injury to fruit in 

 nearly all sections of the country, regardless of treatment. The 

 results of the year, therefore, were viewed with this fact in 

 mind. Such results were, nevertheless, very favorable to lime- 

 sulphur solutions, commercial or home made, as substitutes for 

 bordeaux mixture. Arsenate of lead was found to lose none 

 of its efficiency when combined with the lime-sulphur prepara- 

 tions, and such slight injury as may be ascribed to chemical 

 re-actions between them was insignificant. The only case of 

 extreme injury resulted from the use of lead arsenate with a 

 proprietary spray advertised as a "soluble sulphur"' preparation. 

 The latter is not recommended for use. 



The spraying experiments, wdth modifications based on the 

 results of 1910, have been continued during the season just 



