92 State Horticultural Society. 



any material difference with the dark skinned apples grown in this 

 State, and secondly, investigations have shown that the danger from 

 Bordeaux mixture alone is infinitesimally small. The suggestions 

 made here are to be considered as purely suggestions, and are not 

 based on any experience. In a year or so I hope we may be able to- 

 give you some actual results. 



For spraying we are using Bordeaux mixture, using 6 lbs. of 

 copper sulphate and 4 to 5 lbs. of lime. Right here I wish to say a 

 word about spraying. I had better say repeat a word about spraving, 

 for it has been said often before. Spraying, to be of any value, must^ 

 first of all, be done thoroughly. And secondly, it must be done with a 

 mixture properly made. Poor mixtures and careless sprayings are 

 money and labor wasted. I cannot here go into a discussion of the 

 reasons why we use lime and copper sulphate in the proportions in- 

 dicated ; suffice it to say that these proportions are fixed by chemical 

 laws. When we say lime, we mean unslacked, fresh lime. Partially 

 air-slacked lime is not fresh lime. If you use this partially slacked 

 lime the amount of lime which will unite with the blue vitrei is too 

 low, and you cannot correct it by guessing at it, and putting in a few 

 chunks more of the lime. It cannot be said too often that the making 

 of this mixture is a chemical process, which must be followed strictly 

 according to directions. The blue vitriol, which may be kept as a 

 stock solution, should be poured into one vat and diluted to the proper 

 amount with water. The lime should be slacked in another vat and 

 diluted to the proper amount. Then both solutions should be poured 

 into a third vat or the spray tank simultaneously through a fine 

 strainer, (20 wires to the inch), stirring the mixture constantl}- at the 

 same time. When made according to these directions, a good mixture 

 cannot fail to result. 



In these days when we are beginning to appreciate that to knoAV 

 what the laws are which operate on the farm and in the orchard, 

 every farmer and fruit-grower ought to inform himself of some of 

 the principles underlying his work. We are often asked where this 

 information can be found. The journals give us a good deal, but con- 

 cise hand books are of the greatest value. In connection with the 

 spraying, I alwaj^s like to recommend : "The Spraying of Plants,"' 

 by E. G. Lodeman, published by the ]\Iacmillan Co., New York, price 

 $1.00. It is a little book which every fruit-grower ought to have on 

 his shelves. (The W^estern Fruit-Grower will send it, postpaid, at 

 price named, $1.00. — Ed.) 



In the foregoing I have attempted to give you a brief outline 

 of the facts now known about bitter rot. We really do not know very 



