152 PEACH LEAF CURL: ITS NATURE AND TREATMENT. 



four-fifths, or five-sixths of the weight of the copper sulphate used. 

 With the present experiments it has been unnecessary to take this 

 matter into consideration, for the spray was applied to dormant trees, 

 not likely to be injured by any moderate spray. In nearly all the for- 

 mulae tested for curl the pounds of lime employed were equal or 

 greater than the number of pounds of copper sulphate used. 



The lime used in preparing Bordeaux mixture should be unslaked 

 lime or quicklime of the best qualit}'. There is no economy in using 

 poor lime, and air-slaked lime should never be used. The use of poor 

 or air-slaked lime is apt to result in an imperfecth^ neutralized, and 

 very granular, unsatisfactory spray. While the slaking of lime and 

 the preparation of a milk of lime is a very simple matter, it is one 

 which few people not accustomed to the process will do well the first 

 time. If not properly slaked, there are apt to be hard particles in the 

 spray, causing trouble mth the nozzles. In slaking lime, water should 

 be added to the lime onh^ fast enough to keep it from overheating, 

 adding a little more each time as the heat increases. With some lime 

 the use of a little hot water to start the slaking will hasten the pro- 

 cess. With a little practice this work can be done so as to result in a 

 perfect putty or cream of lime. When the thick, creamy consistency 

 is obtained, it is well to allow the mixture to stand for half an hour, 

 if possible, while hot, being sure that enough water is present to pre- 

 vent drying out. If the Bordeaux mixture is then to be made, cold 

 water should be added to the lime putty, or cream, and the whole 

 stirred until it becomes a milk of lime and is cool. About 3 gallons 

 of water should l)e added for each pound of lime. This cool or cold 

 milk of lime should now be strained through a wire sieve or strainer 

 into the copper sulphate solution, previously prepared, and the whole 

 thoroughlv stirred. 



The solution of copper sulphate should also be cold when the milk 

 of lime is added. After the two solutions are thoroughly united the 

 mixture may be reduced to the required amount with cold water, when 

 the spray is ready for use. The liuie and copper solutions should 

 never be united more than a few hours before the spray is to be applied. 

 When making Bordeaux mixture wooden vessels should be used, as 

 barrels, half barrels, tanks, etc. 



For peach leaf curl the amount of copper sulphate and lime to be 

 used to 45 gallons of water will vary according to the views of the 

 grower, after making a stud}^ of the results obtained from the difi'erent 

 formulse tested in the present series of experiments. 



EAU CELESTE. 



The preparation of eau celeste is very simple. To each 2 pounds 

 of copper sulphate dissolved in 6 or 8 gallons of water add 3 pints of 

 strong ammonia, stir thoroughly, and dilute to 45 gallons. The stock 



