82 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



In place of a concentrated solution of lime-sulphur, formerly 

 used, the soluble sulphur, a powdered form of caustic sulphur, 

 was applied. It is much easier to transport, cheaper, and fully 

 as easy to handle. It has given good satisfaction in New York 

 and provided it is as satisfactory in controlling the pests and 

 diseases, is more economical than liquid. It costs $7.50 per 

 100 lb. barrel and will do the same amount of work as a barrel 

 of liquid which costs from $8 to $9. The Gould Pomona Pump, 

 used the previous season, was again used this year, together 

 with with a new Arlington pump. Both gave very good satis- 

 faction and maintained a pressure from 100 to 150 lbs. with a 

 moderate amount of energy. Cotton hose was also used for 

 the second season and stood up under a pressure of as high as 

 300 pounds. Nozzles of various types, including some of the 

 aluminum type, were used to demonstrate their good and b:.d 

 points. "We have obtained a large assortment of various sorts 

 and believe that it is of the most fundamental importance that 

 they be given a fair trial, inasmuch as they, more than any 

 other one agency, insure good or poor results on the trees. 



On windy days we followed Dr. Whetzel's metnod of spray- 

 ing against the wind and are fully in accord with his views 

 upon the matter. 



The green aphis were particularly abundant as soon as the 

 leaf buds swelled and proved troublesome throughout the sea- 

 son. The tent caterpillars were out early, many appearing in 

 the last week in April, in sufficient numbers to do a great deal 

 of damage unless cared for. At Sorrento the oyster-shell lice 

 were very abundant and threatened even the large, otherwise 

 vigorous trees. Sulphur and lye had been applied in many 

 places with little effect apparently. Other insects in various 

 forms were prevalent in reduced numbers. 



Pruning. 



Before the demonstrations in spraying, the time was given 

 over to a demonstration in pruning on trees of all sizes and 

 conditions. Particular attention was given to the thinning out 

 of trees with a heavy crop, so that there was room for more 

 sunshine and better aeration, and at the same time, not enough 

 open space to cause the exposed limbs to suffer from sunscald. 

 This has been a common fault in the "opening up" of old trees 



