56 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



How to make t"f— Briefly, the best results have been obtained from 

 the nse of the bordeaux mixture, made in accordance with the fol- 

 lowing directions: In a barrel, or other suitable vessel, place 25 

 gallons of water; weigh out six pounds of copper sulphate, then 

 tie the same in a piece of coarse gunny sack and suspend it just be- 

 neath the surface of the water. By tying the bag to a stick laid 

 across the top of the barrel, no further attention will be required. 

 In another vessel slack four pounds of lime, using care in order to 

 obtain a smooth paste, free from grit and small lumps. To accom- 

 plish this it is best to place the lime in an ordinary water pail and 

 add only a small quantity of water at first, say a quart or a quart 

 and a half. When the lime begins to crack and crumble, and the 

 water to disappear, add another quart or more, exercising care that 

 the lime at no time gets too dry. Toward the last considerable 

 water will be required, but, if added carefully and slowly, a per- 

 fectly smooth paste will be obtained, provided, of course, the lime 

 is of good quality. When the lime is slacked add sufficient water 

 to the paste to bring the whole up to 25 gallons. When the copper 

 sulphate is entirely dissolved and the lime is cool, pour the lime 

 milk and copper sulphate solution slowly together into a barrel 

 holding 50 gallons. The milk of lime should be thoroughly stirred 

 before pouring. The method described insures good mixing, but to 

 complete this work the barrel of liquid should receive a final stir- 

 ring for at least three minutes with a broad wooden paddle. 



Testing the mixture — It is now necessary to determine whether 

 the mixture is perfect — that is, if it will be safe to apply it to ten- 

 der foliage. To accomplish this, two simple tests may be used. 

 First, insert th(^ blade cf a penknife in the mixture, allowing it to 

 remain there for at least one minute; if metallic copper forms on 

 the blade, or, in other words, if the polished surface of the steel 

 assumes the cnhu' of copper-plate, the mixture is unsafe and more 

 lime must be added. If, en the other hand, the blade of the knife 

 remains unchanged, it is safe to conclude that the mixture is as 

 perfect as it can be made. As an additional test, however, some of 

 the mixture may be poured into an old plate or saucer, and while 

 held between the eyes and. the light, the breath should be gently 

 blown upon the liquid for at least half a minute. If the mixture is 

 properly made, a thin pellicle, looking like oil on water, will begin 



