08 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



owners, but is also prepared commercially hy no less (ban about two 

 scores of manufacturers. It can now be i)urcbased in small and 

 larf^e quantities of various local dealers, such as druggists and bard- 

 ware dealers, or seedsmen. But as it is yet mucb cbeai)er to make 

 it for one's self, our progressive orchardists are doing Ibis and 

 saving money tbereby. In the course of a short time, the ])rice of 

 the commercial lime-sulfur solutions Avill be considerably reduced, 

 and orchardists will be prepared not only to make it for themselves, 

 but, in emergency, to l)uy from their neighbor or dealer. 



While the formula has been changed during the past year, the 

 fundamental facts, as expressed in the above quotation, remains 

 the same, and the "lime-sulfur solution boiled one hour is the best 

 remedy," not only for the San Jose scale, but also for Ihe 03'ster-shell 

 scale, Scurfy scale. Pear leaf blister mite, and other insects that 

 can be reached on the exposed parts of trees during their dormant 

 I>eriod. 



Considerable advance has been made in the use of this material 

 by the hydrometer, which is an instrument for testing its strength. 

 While it is impossible to apply the lime-sulfur solution at a strength 

 that will injure the trees when dormant, it is easy to get it so dilute 

 that it will not destroy the scale. This, in fact, is often done, and 

 in most instances the recommendations of dealers and agents in 

 regard to dilution results in making the material so dilute that 

 the scale is not controlled. The test with the hydrometer should 

 show the strength equal to 1.03 or stronger when diluted and ready 

 to apply. 



The formula for boiling has at last been reduced to simplicity, as 

 one can make a concentrated, storable lime-sulfur solution of the 

 best quality by boiling two pounds of powdered sulfur with one 

 I>ound of quick lime of fair quality*, for one hour, and straining 

 and storing this without the sediment. This will not crystallize, as 

 it would when made by the old 17-22-50 formula, and when ready 

 to use should be dilute with about six or seven times its bulk of 

 water, or, more accurately, tested with a hydrometer. 



Our most rece-nt investigations have proven that it is not necessary 

 to go to the expense and trouble of obtaining the freshly-burned 

 lime in order to make the lime-sulfur solution that will kill the 

 scale, although this, of course, is better. We have also proven that 

 good and effective lime-sulfur solution can be made with air-slaked 

 lime boiled with sulfur, by using an amount of about equal parts 

 of air-slaked lime and sulfur, or one pound of each in each gallon of 

 water, boiled one hour. It is better, however, to use a good grade of 

 lime, and in order to keep it fresh it should be slaked and kept under 

 water in some vessel. If water is kept over it, the lime will be ready 

 for use at all times, and all that is necessary is to take three times 

 as much of the wet lime paste as would be required of the dry fresh 

 stone lime. 



Further investigations have also proven that the dilute lime- 

 sulfur, whether commercial or homemade, is one of the best fungicides, 

 if not the very best, that can be used. In our own experiments and 

 chemical analyses we proved, during the past Ivno years, that arsen- 

 ate of lead could be used with this, and although it caused a black 



