130 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



spraying be done at that time. While a second application after the 

 leaves have appeared may not be necessary to hold the curl leaf in check, 

 from the fact that it will also lessen the danger from the spot diseases 

 of the fruit and foliage, as well as brown rot, the use of Bordeaux mixture 

 at that time is suggested. By the addition of Paris green a remedy 

 against the curculio and leaf-eating insects will also be secured. 



In order to secure a test of the effect of fungicides upon curl leaf in com- 

 mercial orchards, several of the larger growers in a number of counties 

 were urged to make use of copper sulphate solution, or Bordeaux mixture, 

 as a remedy for this disease and to apply it early in the season. Where 

 the suggestions were carefully followed, the very best of results were 

 secured, and a comparison of the appearance of the sprayed trees with 

 those unsprayed in the same and surrounding orchards, showed such a 

 contrast in favor of spraying that no one could deny its efficiency. Even 

 in the case of Elberta, Captain Ede and Summer Snow, which are par- 

 ticularly subject to attack, a full crop was secured. In several instances 

 the fruit from young Elberta trees, that had received a single applica- 

 tion of copper sulphate solution, brought from three to five dollars per 

 tree, while other trees of the same variety that were older and in everv 

 way as well cared for except that they were not sprayed, not only failed 

 to bear fruit, but were so badly injured by the disease that many of the 

 branches were destroyed and the growth of the trees greatly checked. 



In numerous instances the spraying was neglected until the buds began 

 to open, or even until the fruit had set, and, as might be expected, the re- 

 sults were not satisfactory, but we have yet to learn of a single person 

 who sprayed his orchards previous to the first of April who did not secure 

 practical immunity from the disease. 



Although little difference was noticed in the results secured from the 

 use of copper sulphate solution. Bordeaux mixture and whitewash, for the 

 early application we would recommend the use of the former, if to be ap- 

 plied in the spring, as the expense will be less than for the other materials 

 and it is much easier to prepare and apply. In some sections where 

 there is danger of the starting of the buds during warm periods in the 

 fall and winter, spraying with whitewash will have a marked effect in 

 preventing it, and will also serve as a remedy for the curl leaf, and with 

 varieties likely to winter-kill, especially if they are grown upon a southern 

 slope, it will perhaps be preferable to copper sulphate solution. To have 

 it effectual, however, it will need to be used very thoroughly, and if at 

 any time the whitewash has become washed from the trees so as to show 

 the dark-colored bark beneath, the application should be repeated, as its 

 efficiency results from the fact that a tree coated with whitewash will be 

 of a lower temperature than those where the bark is exposed. 



Among the other remedies that were tested was kerosene alone, and a 

 mixture of kerosene and water, applied with an atomizer as remedies 

 against scale insects. The use of kerosene, in either way, seems to be 

 more effectual than when used as an emulsion, and when properly applied 

 the mixture of kerosene and water is, if anything, less injurious to the 

 foliage than when a similar proportion of kerosene is used in an emulsion. 

 As a remedy against plant lice and scale insects, kerosene and water ;it 

 the rate of one pound of kerosene to from four to fifteen of water, accord- 

 ing to i he nature of the insect, will be found safe to use upon the trees and 



