14 



The Bulletin. 



part at a time, and as it slakes dash in a little cold water, as needed, to 

 keep it from boiling over or to keep it from becoming dry. Keep the 

 fire going and stir the mixture frequently. As the slaking ceases, keep 

 it boiling from the fire for half an hour longer, then dilute with water 

 (cold is all right) to make the 50 gallons; strain through a fine wire 

 screen or cloth to remove all sediment, and spray. 



Notes About the Lime-sulphur Wash.— The Lime-sulphur Wash not 

 only kills the scales with which it actually comes in contact, but it forms 

 a thin, firm coating over the twigs upon which the young insects seem 

 to find difficulty in settling down to feed and grow. As this coating is 

 gradually worn off by rains or by growth of the tree, it is important 

 that the wash be applied as late in the winter as possible, so that the 



Fig. 5. — Steam-boiler outfit for making Lime-sulphur Wash for orchard of 35,000 

 peach trees. Moore County, N. C. (Photo by Sherman.) 



coating shall be present when the insects begin to breed in the spring. 

 The best time to treat the trees, therefore, is in late winter — as late as 

 possible, so the work is completed before the buds have opened. Trees 

 that are very badly infested may be given two treatments, the first in late 

 November or December, and the second as late as possible, as just di- 

 rected (usually in February) ; but once the scale is subdued, one appli- 

 cation late each winter is sufficient. 



About a week after the trees are treated they will look almost as white 

 as if they had been whitewashed, and it is then an easy matter to detect 

 any places which were missed in the application. Absolute thoroughness 

 must be the rule in treating trees for this scale. Spray the trees from 

 two or three sides to be sure that it is done thoroughly, and then if 

 missed spots are noted later go over the trees again and complete the job. 



It is well to prune the trees before the wash is applied, so that any 

 dead or useless wood will be removed, thus giving a better opportunity 

 to treat thoroughly what remains. 



