13 



lumping of the sulfur. To avoid this the sulfur should 

 always be mixed to a thin paste with hot water before 

 being poured into the large boiling kettle. If this be done 

 it makes little difference in the final result whether it be 

 added before, after or during the slaking of the lime. 

 The following method is as good as any and easy to fol- 

 low : 



For each 50-gallon lot of spray solution to be prepared 

 mix 15 lbs. of fine sulfur to a thin paste in hot water in 

 some convenient receptacle. Heat about 12 to 15 gallons 

 of water in the 40-gallon kettle and while it is heating add 

 the sulfur paste taking care to break up any lumps that 

 may exist. Then add, lump by lump, the 20 lbs. of best 

 rock lime. By the time the lime is all slaked the solution 

 should be boiling hot. Add about 10 gallons more of hot 

 water and continue the boiling steadily for about one 

 hour. During this time the mixture must be stirred al- 

 most constantly to keep it from burning and to insure the 

 complete solution of the sulfur. When properly prepared 

 there should be no residue of sulfur after this cooking. 

 The wash will appear as a rather thick, reddish brown, 

 or dark orange-colored liquid. It gives off a strong odor 

 of sulfur and is caustic in its action. Impurities in the 

 lime may vary the color of the liquid, as does also the 

 excess amount of lime but a variation in color need not 

 affect its efficiency if the wash has been properly stirred 



and boiled. 



From the boiling kettle the wash goes to the spraying 

 barrel into which it should be strained through a brass 

 strainer having about 20 meshes per inch. See fig, 

 2. This may be purchased or made at home. The strain, 

 er should remove all impurities which might clog the 

 nozzles and delay the work in spraying. Never strain 

 the wash through burlap bagging as the lint from the 

 bagging will soon clog the pump. In the barrel the wash 

 may be finally diluted with cold, but preferably with hot, 

 water to make the required 50 gallons of spraying solu- 

 tion. The amounts of lime and sulfur may be varied, 



