The Spraying of Orchards. 109 



show that during the first twentj-three days following May 16, 

 rain fell during twenty-two, and twenty of these were consecutive. 

 The unfavorable influence of such weather upon the successful 

 spraying of apples and other fruits can only be realized when it is 

 considered that there is probably the greatest need of the application 

 at just this time. 



An appoximate schedule of the dates of spraying had been made 

 out before the work was begun, and this schedule was followed as 

 closely as possible. The applications were made some in sunshine, 

 and some in rain, and at the time it seemed as if the liquids used 

 were washed off as fast as they were put upon the trees. If the 

 sprayed trees succeeded in becoming dry between the showers, that 

 appeared to be all that could reasonably be asked. 



During the last week in June the rainfall practically ceased, and 

 then began a period of drought, more or less severe, which con- 

 tinued until early in September. This prevented the apples from 

 attaining their normal size, but probably had little effect upon the 

 severity of fungous and insect injuries. Not so with the early 

 rains, however. Notes which were taken June 16, at the time of 

 an application, show a very discouraging condition of foliage and 

 fruit. The weather had been warm and moist and there had 

 appeared, during the ten days previous to this time, a vigorous and 

 quite general growth of the scab fungus. All the plots were 

 attacked, and showed fruit that was already one sided, and leaves 

 that were more or less covered by the black, smoky patches of the 

 parasite. In addition to this the young apples were rapidly falling 

 from the trees, and what at firot promised to be an abundant yield 

 of fair fruit now seemed to indicate exactly the contrary. When 

 the crop was harvested in September, the yield was indeed snjall, 

 and it now remains to determine to what degree " the weather " 

 was responsible for the loss. 



The materials. — All the applications were made with the sole 

 purpose of combatting fungi. The Bordeaux mixture was almost 

 exclusively used, London purple, and the copper sulphate solution 

 being the only other substances tested for this purpose. The trees 

 sprayed with the mixture were not all treated alike as regards 

 the amount of liquid used, the dates of applications, etc. The 



