The Speayino of Okchaeds. 283 



sprayed six times 44-J pounds. There is apparently no connection 

 between the weight of the fruit and the treatment of the trees, and 

 the other weights given under this variety are equally disconnected. 

 An accurate comparison can be made in case of the Pippins. In the 

 table mentioned, the numbers in the division which refers to the portion 

 treated with Fostite and Paris green were obtained from trees treated 

 only upon one side, the other half remaining as a check. The gain in 

 weight is shown to be 3^ pounds, although the treated apples were by 

 no means the best. But the Maiden Blush apples showed what could 

 be done. There is only one tree of this variety in the orchard, and 

 this year it bore a fair crop. One-half of this tree was sprayed with 

 Bordeaux and the other half was not touched. When harvested, 100 

 average apples of the unsprayed side weighed 24^ pounds, while an 

 equal number similarly chosen from the other half of the tree weighed 

 37f pounds; a gain of over 54 per cent. This diiference was forcibly 

 shown in another way; in fact, so plainly and conclusively did it show 

 the value of spraying apples susceptible to the attacks of the scab that 

 it alone would convince the most skeptical that the operation is a pay- 

 ing one. One hundred average unsprayed apples filled a half -bushel 

 basket evenly full, as shown on the cover page; one hundred of the 

 average sprayed apples filled a bushel basket evenly full. Thus the 

 bulk of the crop of Maiden Blush was practically doubled. At 

 the same time the energy of the trees was taxed but little 

 more, as the production of the seed in the apple is more 

 exhaustive than the production of the flesh. It is true that but 

 few commercial varieties of apples will respond so generously to 

 treatment, but still some will, and there can be no doubt that all varie- 

 ties attacked by fungus are more -or less checked in their growth. In 

 addition to this, healthy foliage assists in making a healthy and vigor- 

 ous tree, resulting in the deflection of a greater amount of food to 

 the fruit. 



Keeping qualities of apples as affected by sprays. — A few Fall 

 Pippin and Maiden Blush apples were selected from the sprayed and 

 also from the unsprayed portion of the trees about September 20. 

 Bordeaux mixture had been used upon the former. They were stored 

 in a cool, dry cellar. On the i5th of October the unsprayed apples 

 began to show signs of shriveling. The scabby portions were 

 depressed and some days later showed signs of decay. November 

 18, the unsprayed apples were much shrivelled and somewhat decayed. 

 The sprayed apples, which were exceptionally fine specimens, were still 

 plump and fit for market. It is possible that the keeping qualities of 

 apples may be considerably affected by the proper applications. 



