IRISH GARDENING 



VOLUME XV 



No. i68 



Editor -J. W. Besant. 



A MONTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE 



ADVANCEMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND 



ARBORICULTURE IN IRELAND 



FEBRUARY 



1920 



Winter Spraying 



X our humid climate, most 

 trees, if not sprayed, be- 

 come more or less subject 

 to lichen and moss on the 

 hark, particularly so if 

 the trees are growing on 

 damp ground or in low- 

 lying situations. This 

 ^nous growth, as it grows older, 

 hoary masses encasing the 

 les even to the youngest 

 Not only is it unsightly 

 has an injurious effect on 

 the trees b\ clogging the lenticels 

 or air pores, in the bark and often 

 killing or crippling the branches. The greatest 

 danger, however, lies in the fact that it affords 

 a safe hiding place and breeding ground for 

 many insect pests. 



To remedy this condition of the trees re- 

 course must be had to spraying with a suitable 

 mixture. Of the many spray fluids to choose 

 from, the winter alkali wash, or caustic alkali 

 wash, is most effective, leaving the trees clean 

 and healthy looking. This wash is easily pre- 

 pared but it is advisable to use a pair of old 

 gloves to protect the hands from the soda. 

 Spray onl}- during calm weather, when the 

 buds are quite dormant. Towaz'ds the end 

 of February is considered the best time, as the 

 eggs of insects, if present, are then more easily 

 destroyed than earlier in the winter. 



Sulphate of copper (Bluestone) is another 

 excellent winter spray, much milder in its 

 effects than the caustic wash, but equally effec- 

 tive in cleaning the trees if they are not too 

 badly infested and the lichen in a young 

 state. This wash is simply prepared, is not 

 caustic to the hands and may be applied in 

 calm weather anytime during the winter while 

 the buds are dormant. 1 per cent, to 2 per cent, 

 solution may be used. The writer used the 2 

 per cent. — i.e., 8 lbs. copper sulphate in 40 

 gallons water — on a large number of trees, in 

 Februarv, with satisfactorv results. This 



of Fruit Trees ;^-:^ 



spray is also a fimgicide against Brown Eot, 

 Apple Scab, &c. 



Another good remedy for lichen and moss is 

 provided by freshly-slaked lime, either as a 

 wash sprayed on the trees or applied in a dry I 

 state. When applied dry the trees shoidd be ' 

 damp so that the lime will stick when ca.st on. 

 Any lime falling to the ground will not be lost 

 on the trees. When put on as a wash the lime 

 should be about the same consistency as white 

 wash and must be thoroughly strained before I 

 being put into the sprayer. It is important that 

 the lime be used immediately it is slaked. 



There are several spraying mixtures in the 

 market, prepared ready for use, as a glance at 

 the advertising columns of this Journal will con- 

 firm. Some of these are of proved m.rit and 

 are very suitable for amateurs and others who | 

 do not care to make up a special mixture. Like- ! 

 wise there are many sprayers from which to I 

 select, from the improved syringes to the large 

 horse sprayers. The ordinary Potato sprayer. 

 Eclair, ' ' in use in this country is a very handy 

 instrument where the trees are not too large or 

 too numerous. With a bamboo connection 

 attached to the nd)ber tubing it can be made to I 

 reach fairly high branches. 



Formulai, Caustic Alkali Wash : — , 



8 lbs. caustic soda, 98 per cent, purity. 



3 lbs. soft soap ; 



40 gallons water. \ 



Dissolve the soda very carefully in water in a | 

 wooden or eai'thenware vessel or at bottom of i 

 barrel. Dissolve soap in boiling water, mix, , 



and add sufficient water to make 40 gallons, 

 stirring all the time. 



Copper Sulphate Solution : — I 



8 lbs. copper sulphate, 08 per cent, puritv?. j 



40 gallons watei'. 

 Dissolve copper sulphate in hot water in wooden 

 or earthenware vessel, or leave it suspended • 

 over-night in smai} bag in water at bottom of ' 

 barrel. Add water to bring the mixture ap to 

 40 gallons. G. D. I 



