DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY 



261 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



lime-sulphur wash as the preparation of the spray is a very simple and clean 

 operation and freight charges would be very light compared with those on the heavy, 

 bulky lime-sulphur. 



Two samples from the material freshly manufactured, were submitted to analysis : 



Analysis of Soluble Sulphur. 



Total sulphur , 



Sulphur present as sulphide 



ii ii in compounds other than sulphides 

 Matter insoluble in water. 



No. 13655. 



p. c. 



58-20 



44-07 



14 13 



traces. 



No. 13673. 



p. c. 



56 20 



40 30 



15 90 



•40 



Both samples contained carbonate of soda, as a residual in the process of manu- 

 facture. The sulphur compounds have sodium as a base and it is quite evident from 

 the data that a large percentage of them exist in other forms thau sulphide. From 

 our experience, and that of other investigators, it is the sulphide sulphur that prac- 

 tically determines the fungicidal value of the spray and, consequently, these other- 

 than-sulphide compounds — sulphites, hyposulphites, etc. — may be left out of consid- 

 eration by the orchardist. 



There is as yet no experience with this spray, either as to effectiveness in con- 

 trolling fungous diseases or its harmlessness to foliage, and therefore its value as a 

 substitute for lime-sulphur cannot as yet be stated. While it might prove effective 

 as a winter spray on dormant wood it seems probable, from its strongly alkaline char- 

 acter, that it might be injurious to tender foliage, save in very dilute solutions. 



APTERITE. 



This preparation is described as a ' soil-fumigant ' and ' fertilizer ' and, further, 

 as a ' scientifically prepared powder,' the purpose of which ' is to destroy the many 

 insects and other pests which live or hibernate in the soil and damage the crops.' It 

 is a purplish red powder smelling strongly of napthalene. Its examination yielded 

 the following data: — 



Analysis. 



Per cent. 



Phenol and homologues (crude carbolic acid, naphthalene, etc.) 20-50 



Oxide of iron and alumina 3-20 



Silica 6-65 



Lime (present largely as sulphide and carbonate) 29-05 



Sulphur (present as sulphide) 3-36 



Magnesia -38 



Soda trace 



Potash none 



•Phosphoric acid traces 



Nitrogen traces 



It would appear to be essentially sulphide of lime, probably gas lime — a by-pro- 

 duct of the gas works long recognized >as having a value for the destruction of noxious 

 insects in the soil — with napthalene oils. The red dye present is probably a ' lake.' 



As it only contains mere traces of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, it cannot 

 be said to have any value as a fertilizer, though its lime may act as an amendment. 



Preparations of this character have been used in England to protect many classes 

 of crops from insect ravages, being used at the rate of 2 to 3 cwts. per acre, and dug 

 or ploughed in before sowing the seed or planting the land. The experience with 



