Miscellaneous. 205 



barrel. Some form of nozzle which contains a plunger attachment to 

 free the nozzle of any obstructions is also a great convenience. This is a 

 superior point of the Vermorel nozzle. 



The copper sulphate will dissolve much more rapidly if hot water is 

 used. It is also well to suspend the sack containing the copper sulphate, 

 so that it is two or three inches from the bottom of the barrel. In this 

 way the water takes up the solution more rapidly. 



An iron pipe or bamboo pole, with a pipe through the center at least 

 ten feet long, is of great advantage in reaching the uppermost parts of 

 the trer and in directing the spray. 



As lime rock varies considerably in its purity, it is not possible to 

 determine by weight alone, whether the proper amount of lime has been 

 added, or not. A chemical test should be used for every lot. A very 

 simple one is by the use of prussiate of potash. Secure of your local 

 druggist a dime's worth of prussiate of potash crystals and add just 

 enough water to dissolve them. After you have made your Bordeaux 

 mixture, or Paris green, and have filled the barrel, take out a small quan- 

 tity and place in a saucer. To this, add one or two drops of prussiate of 

 potash solution. If the Bordeaux mixture turns a reddish brown color, 

 this means you have not added enough lime. Add some more milk of 

 lime, and test again. If sufficient lime is present, no discoloration will 

 take place. Only a drop or two of the potash is required for a test and a 

 few cents' worth will be ample for the season's work. 



Spring is always a busy season, and a great deal of the failure in 

 spraying comes about through the fact that we are not ready at the prop- 

 er time. It is a good plan to thoroughly overhaul the spray pumps, and 

 see that the valves are in good order, and that the hose is in fit condition, 

 or a new one ordered. Broken hose, pump valves out of repair, broken 

 spring in the spray nozzle, these things often cause delay in the spraying 

 for two or three days, just at the critical time, and it makes the difference 

 between success and failure in the operation. Few of the local hardware 

 stores carry a good line of spray pump accessories, and it is well to carry 

 a few extra supplies of these things yourself. 



For those who wish to give the subject of spraying a careful study, 

 I would recommend a little book by Prof. C. M. Weed of the Orange 

 Judd Company on the ''Spraying of Crops." This work contains a num- 

 ber of cuts illustrating the life history of the most important insects, the 

 methods of combatting them, plant diseases, etc. It costs $1.00, I be- 

 lieve, and the Fruitman will, no doubt, be glad to order you a copy. 



I would also state that we now have in preparation a new edition of 

 the spray calendar of the Iowa Experiment Station and will be pleased to 

 send a copy upon application. — The Fruitman, Mt. Vernon, la. 



