30 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



sulphate and three pounds of lime in the Bordeaux mixture as we could 

 with twice that amount: 6 and 6, or 5 and 5, in 50 gallons of water always. 

 In fact, there was so much less injury when we used the less amounts of copper 

 sulphate that our station is now recommending for Bordeaux mixture for 

 apples and pears and the quince, 3 pounds of copper sulphate, 3 pounds 

 of lime, and 50 gallons of water. When peaches and plums are sprayed, 

 of course considerably less amounts than this must be used; and there is no 

 need of using a stronger Bordeaux mixture than that which I have just 

 named. 



Now, to just sum up in a word, then: If we are to spray our fruit trees — 

 and all must concede that we can't grow good fruits without spraying — 

 in spite of the fact that Bordeaux mixture will do injury, yet all fruit growers 

 who have had experience still hold that Bordeaux mixture is the sovereign 

 remedy against all fungi, and the only one we have. Many experiments 

 in different stations are now being carried on to see if we can't find some 

 fungicide and not injure fruit; but I fear, from my own work, we shall always 

 find that any fungicide that is strong enough to destroy the spores of apple 

 scab will also injure the fruit more or less. So the problem is to so spray 

 as to destroy the scab and do as little injury as possible. 



We recommend, then, from our station, from these experiments, that 

 the weak solution which I have given of Bordeaux mixture be used; that 

 it be sprayed in moderation; the trees should not be drenched until great 

 quantities of it run off, and yet every part of the tree should be covered, 



' foliage and fruit ; and that the trees be sprayed always in dry weather. We 

 used to say, "Spray rain or shine," and if there were only a few hours of 

 dry weather to permit the Bordeaux mixture to set on the leaf, that was 



'all sufficient. But I fear we shall have to change that. We shall find it is 

 greatly to our advantage both in saving the fruit from injur}^ and in checking 

 the scab to spray in dry weather. 



And lastly, there is no benefit in adding a considerable excess of lime; 

 it clogs the pumps; it is harder to put on; in a case of drj^ weather it may 

 somewhat detract from the value of the mixture; and, taking it all in all, 

 there is no value in adding any considerable excess of lime in making Bor- 

 deaux mixture. 



I have run through this experiment very hastily, and I have not given 

 you the details; but I shall be glad to answer any questions or go into the 

 matter of the spraying engine. I only hope that in thus telling of the defects 

 of Bordeaux mixture I have not caused any man to think that if it is going 

 to hurt his fruit he will not use it another year. On the contrary, you can't 

 grow fruit without spraying; and don't think because there are some draw- 

 backs to the use of Bordeaux mixture that you can get along without it. 

 On that I want to make myself clear. I don't want any one to accuse me 

 here of finding fault with Bordeaux mixture or advocating its disuse. It 

 is not used nearly enough, and I want to emphasize over and over again the 

 fact that it must be used more and more if we are to grow good fruit. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Bishop: Would it not be a good plan to' spray the trees early with 

 the stronger solution of Bordeaux mixture before the foliage starts? 



Prof. Hedrick: I have not gone into that matter of the proper sprays 

 for the apple tree. In Western New York they now spray for the most part 

 three times: Just before the buds open or begin to swell, with a fairly 



