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836 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



tion of soils, miscellaneous notes on soil-variotal adaptation, and the adapted- 

 ness of soils to varieties of peaches. 



, Eliminating- unprofitable trees from the apple orchard, S. W. Fletcheb 

 {Proc. Amer. Poviol. Soc, 1913, pp. 138-1 Jfo). — To show the importance of keep- 

 ing a yield record for orchard trees the autlior gives the results secured from a 

 record of an apple orchard kept for a period of four years. 



Of a total of 1,245 trees 375 trees averaged 4 bbls. per tree annually and 

 produced GO per cent of the crop. Two hundred and fifteen trees produced less 

 than 1 bbl. per tree annually each and had Iteen kept at a loss. 



Further experiments in the dusting and spraying of apples, D. Reddick 

 and C. R. Crosby {Neiv York Cornell Sta. liiil. 35.'f (1915), pp. .5.3-96, figs. 2.'f).— 

 The work reported in this bulletin is in direct continuation of that previously 

 reported by Blodgett (E. S. R., 30, p. 840). 



The experiments wei*e conducted on a commercial scale in three different 

 orchards. Comparisons were made between the dry mixture of sulphur and 

 lead arsenate, lime-sulphur solution, and lead arsenate, and no summer treat- 

 ment. Details as to quantities of material used, dates of application, and con- 

 ditions influencing the same, time required, comparative costs, results, and 

 methods of recording data are given iu connection with the individual experi- 

 ments. 



Among the important points brought out by the present work the dust method 

 seems to be particularly applicable to large old trees with which the difficulty 

 in doing thorough spraying is most apparent. Although the efficiency of the 

 dust spray in controlling the apple-scab fungus varied in the different orchards, 

 the authors conclude that this is due more to the time of application iu connec- 

 tion with prevailing weather conditions than to the lack of efficiency of the 

 mixture. The results obtained in one orchard at least were as favorable iu 

 controlling apple scab as those previously reported by Blodgett. Mechanical 

 difficulties in connection with the dusting processes have been sufficiently re- 

 moved to secure more reliable cost data, and it now appears that an orchard 

 may be protected by dusting as cheaply or even cheaper than by spraying. In- 

 sects were not prevalent during the year; hence the tests of the various mix- 

 tures on insect control gave no decisive results, except that it appears that the 

 dust mixtures containing 10 per cent of arsenate of lead are as effective as 

 those containing twice the amount. A test of different quantities of diy sul- 

 phur per ti-ee indicates that for the present it would be advisable to use a mix- 

 ture of 90 parts of pure sulphur, especially finely ground, and 10 parts of 

 powdered arsenate of lead, applying on an average 1.5 to 3 lbs. of the mixture 

 per tree at each application. 



It was sought to determine whether the adhesive properties of the dry mix- 

 ture might be improved by the addition of an inert substance. Of the subT 

 stances used neither gypsum nor wheat flour added to the adhesiveness mate- 

 rially, and the expense of the wheat flour practically precludes its use. Ap- 

 parently good results were secured in one orchard by mixing hydra ted lime with 

 the sulphur. It is suggested, however, that this may have been due to an appli- 

 cation of Bordeaux mixture or to applications of dust mixture under very favor- 

 able conditions. Prepared sulphur paste suspended In water was compared 

 with lime-sulphur solution; but the test, although not conclusive, indicates that 

 the sulphur paste is not so effective as the lime-sulphur solution. 



Among other points brought out by the work, it appears that the amount of 

 secondary infection may be materially reduced by the early destruction of 

 fallen leaves subsequent to the primary infection. Plowing under the old 

 leaves, however, will not be sufficient to make the application of fungicides un- 

 necessary. Observations relative to the factors Influencing the adhesiveness 



