150 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



trated formula it sliould be strained or permitted to settle, and can 

 then be stored in stone, wooden or metal vessels (excepting copper), 

 and kept as long as wanted. 



Our experiments have shown that this concentrated material does 

 not freeze, and even the dilute material does not freeze easily, and 

 it is not injured by freezing. It can thus be ke])t during the winter 

 and summer if desired. When ready to use it should be diluted with 

 a hydrometer such as is made by the Carbondale Instrument C(mi- 

 pany. of Carbondale, Pa., according to the directions, to test 1.0.3 for 

 the dormant spray. This means one part of the concentrated material 

 in about seven or eight parts of water. 



We take this opportunity to correct the statement that is now 

 generally going the rounds concerning the supposed need of technical 

 chemical knoAvledge and apparatus in order to make the lime-sulfur 

 solution. No special knowledge nor special apparatus of any kind 

 whatever is required. It is not necessary even to strain it if one will 

 let it settle and save the red liquid, which is the part that kills the 

 scale. In our own practical work, however, we mix it. stirring the 

 sediment with it, and apply it to the trees, as it helps to make a 

 market which shows where the spraying was done and where re- 

 touching is needed. 



In our spraying work of last spring we found that we could spray 

 until the pink of the blossoms could be seen. This was after the 

 green leaves had commenced to appear, and they were not materially 

 injured by the spray liquid, which was applied at the usual San 

 Jose scale strength. It is, of course, not best to delay the spraying 

 until after the buds have actually burst, but if it must be done after 

 that time it will not be as injurious as one might think. 



To prevent the peach leaf curl the spraying should be done before 

 the buds open. WTiere we sprayed after they had opened there was 

 some curling, but, strange to say, the leaves were white instead of 

 red, and dropped very soon, and the trees carried a good crop of 

 fruit and foliage. 



fb) Treatment for Borers. Our experiments for treating peach-tree 

 borers were continued last summer and gave very interesting and 

 remarkable results. The lime-sulfur was made just as described 

 above for the dormant spray, was applied with a tractor sprayer, 

 or one in which the power comes from the gearing on the wheels. 

 It was applied to the trees by taking off the nozzle, but using an ex- 

 tension rod with one-eighth turn, and applying at least one-half pint 

 of the liquid around the base of each tree one or two feet above the 

 ground, and permitting it to run down and settle around the trees. 

 This was done after the earth had been removed from around the tree 

 enough to form a little hollow close to the trunk in which the liquid 

 settled. 



The only addition to the regular lime-sulfur solution was one ounce 

 of arsenate of lead or of London purple in each gallon of liquid, which 

 made practically three pounds to fifty gallons. 



After the liquid was dry on the trunks of the treated trees they 

 were mounded with earth to a height of one-half foot. The first 

 treatment was given the middle of June, the second treatment was 

 given the middle of July, and the third the middle of August. We 

 found that were it was applied only once, or the middle of June, the 



