186 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA. A. 1901 



and especially so for fruit trees. It invigorates their growth and tends to the pro- 

 duction of fruit with high flavour and good appearance. 



It is not at all probable that there is any absorption of the potash from the soap 

 s,pray through the bark or leaves, as many suppose ; the potash, in common with 

 other mineral foods, must be absorbed from the soil through the roots. If the potash 

 in the soap is to act as a food for the tree, it must follow the same course. It is not 

 difficult to understand how this may readily take place, for sooner or later — probably 

 within two or three weeks of spraying — the rains have washed off the soap, and it has 

 been i-eceivod and absorbed by the soil in the immediate neighbourhood of the roots. 

 There it is gradually converted into assimilable compounds which can feed the tree. 



We may now ask if there is sufficient potash in the amount of soap solution 

 sprayed on the tree to make its value as a fertilizer worth considering. In making 

 the solution for the San Jose scale, 2 pounds of soap are used per gallon, and probably 

 2 gallons will be required for a well-grown, mature tree. A simple calculation, on 

 the basis of 10 per cent of potash in the soap and 35 trees to the acre, will show that the 

 soil of each acre of orchard so sprayed receives 14 pounds of actual potash, that may 

 subsequently be set f reo as plant food. This, though not a heavy application, would, 

 in my opinion, be quite sufficient on many soils to produce a marked improvement. 

 The usual di-essing of the fertilizer muriate of potash is 100 pounds per acre, 

 equivalent to an application of 50 pounds of actual potash. Each spraying with whale- 

 oil soap, therefore, it is seen, furnishes an amount of potash somewhat greater than 

 one-fourth of that supplied when using the above-named fertilizer in ordinary dressings. 



ARBORINE. 



Glen's Arborine is the name given to a much-advertised material for which is 

 claimed very remarkable qualities as an insecticide, as well as the power of protection 

 of fruit trees against mice and other vermin. During the past season numerous 

 requests have been received for information regarding its nature and composition. 

 Thus, in August last the editor of the Canadian Horticulturist writhes: 'Members of 

 the Ontario Fruit-growers' Association are continually making inquiries as to the 

 nature of Arborine. If you could examine this insecticide, the information would 

 prove of interest to many orchardists.' We, accordingly, procured an unopened 

 1-pound canister, which bears the following statement : — ' A guaranteed protection to 

 fruit and ornamental trees from rabbits, sheep, mice, borers, San .lose scale and 

 insects. Directions : Mix the contents of this can in 1 quart of sweet milk, stir 

 until a'll is dissolved. Apply with a clean paint brush immediately after mixing, or 

 before milk sours. Price, $2.' 



Arborine is a fine powder having the appearance of a yellowish ochre, posses- 

 sing a peculiar odour not unlike onions, and which, on idetitification, proved to be 

 that of asafcetida. Under the microscope, many small yellow particles were observed, 

 which, on testing, gave all the reactions for sulphur. A qualitativi> analysis showed 

 it to consist essentially of ochi'e, sulphur and asafcetida. The results of a quantitative 

 examination afforded the following data : — 



Per cent. 



Moisture 86 



Sulphur 38 73 



Oxide of iron and alumina 23 "87 



Mineral matter, insoluble in acid 22 '44 



Sulphate of lime '88 



. The sum total of these percentages, taken from 100, leaves in the neighbourhood' 

 of 13 per cent to be accounted for. This we believe to be chiefly asafcetida. for 

 extraction of the Arborine with carbon bisulphide not only takes out the sul]:)hur 

 above recorded, but also about 6 per cent of a resinous substance having all the char- 



