150 State Horticultural Society. 



Probably one of the most perplexing questions with which 

 we have to deal is spraying. There are but few troubles which di- 

 rectly affect the fruit, especially apples, that cannot be largely 

 controlled by spraying. But spraying is expensive, tedious and 

 the most disagreeable sort of work that has been introduced into or- 

 charding. It is a kind of work in which more mistakes may be 

 made, from which less benefit may be derived and by which more 

 damage may be done than by any other practice that is followel 

 in the orchard. If not done well and at the proper time, it will 

 hardly pay to expend money and labor doing it. Only the best of 

 appliances should be used. The few dollars spent on securing every 

 possible convenience for making and applying mixtures will be 

 several times regained during the season in the saving of time. 

 In spraying for apple scab, if good results are expected, it is abso- 

 lutely essential that the three applications be made at the right 

 time, the first before blooming, as the cluster buds open, up to the 

 time that the pink shows well in the bloom; the second, just as the 

 bloom has fallen, or immediately afterwards, and the third, seven 

 to ten days later. If for any reason it should be necessary to omit 

 any one of these applications, omit the first ; it can be better done 

 without than either of the other two, and can be partially replaced 

 by an application earlier in the season when the trees are dormant 

 and when time is not so crowded. It is equally essential, for the 

 control of the early brood of codling moth, that the mixture b3 

 applied immediately after the petals fall, so that the arsenic will 

 be sure to get into the calyx cavity before it is closed. If thess 

 earlier applications are not made at the right time, their ef- 

 ficiency is greatly reduced, probably as much as fifty per cent, 

 The tendency with many of us is to put off until something else 

 is done. Such practice will not bring success in any line. If other 

 matters are more important, don't spray. If spraying is most im- 

 portant, let other matters wait, or else do both at the right time. 

 It it the neglect which, as a rule, causes more difficulties than all 

 the natural problems with which we have to contend. Occasionally 

 we are called upon to answer such queries as this: "If it is 

 possible to spray but once, when is the best time to do it?" There 

 is but one way to answer this question: "If only one spraying 

 can be made, don't spray at all ; it will hardly pay." This is not 

 saying, however, that one spraying will do no good whatever, for 

 there are conditions under which benefit may result from a single 

 application. A single application of Bordeaux and arsenic, if the 

 work is well done, made just after the petals fall, will go a long 



