796 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



some task of developing so iiiaiiy seeds wbeu it expends its surplus 

 energies ujion the development of the fruit remaining. If you but 

 trj' a few trees, removing fully three-four tlis, leaving no two touch- 

 ing, and if it be the peach, leave no two closer than 5 to G inches, 

 you will indeed be astonished with the results. 



If these three essentials are carefully and conscientiously carried 

 out you would no longer hear the oft-remark that fruit raising does 

 not pay; but the horticulturist would then take the position his pro- 

 fession merits, the seat of honor. 



The Chair announced that at 1.30 P. M. Prof. Surface would give 

 a practical demonstration of how to prepare a solution to kill San 

 Jos(5 Scale that could be quickly and easily prepared without boil- 

 ing. 



Adjourned. 



Afternoon Session, 1.80 P. M. 



At l.oO o'clock tills afternoon. I'rof. H. A. Surface demonstrated 

 to a large number of interested spectators how to prepare a solu- 

 tion to kill the San Jos6 Scale which would be immediately ready 

 for use. The solution nov>" used is the lime, sulphur and salt wash, 

 but on account of its being disagreeable to handle and the necessary 

 prolonged boiling in making, it is not readily accepted as an insecti- 

 cide. 



The new solution which Prof. Surface showed how to make is 

 composed of lime, sulphur and soda. It is composed of 33 pounds 

 of unslacked lime, 17 pounds of sulphur, 4^ pounds of caustic soda 

 and 50 gallons of water. 



First, the caustic soda is dissolved in water and then one-half the 

 lime is placed in enough water to slake it, but not to burn it. After 

 the lime is slaked, one-half the sul])hur is gradually added and the 

 solution stirred. Then the remainder of the lime is added, and while 

 the boiling is continued from the slaking of the lime the balance of 

 the sulphur is put in. While it is yet steaming add one-third of the 

 caustic soda, and when the boiling has ceased add another third of 

 the soda. When the boiling caused by this addition ceases add the 

 renuiinder of the soda and by the time the boiling has ceased it will 

 have assumed a brick red color. It should then be applied to the 

 trees while hot, as it will run through the nozzle more freely. He 

 recommended the use of the Vermerel nozzle. The sulphur used 

 should be flowers of sulphur. 



The I'rofessor said he would not recommend this wash for or- 

 chards over half an acre in size, but would use the lime, sulphur, salt 

 wash, as the former is more expensive to prepare and it is doubtful 

 if it is as effective as the latter mixture. 



