8 June, 1907.] Experiments with Black Spot of Apple. 



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There was not a great development of spot during the season and con- 

 sequently none of the plots was very bad, but by taking the absolutelv 

 clean fruit for comparison, the merits of the respective sprays were shown. 

 The ripe fruit was carefully picked from each tree and weighe:! and then 

 the clean was separated from the spotted. The details of the experiments 

 are gi\en in the accompanying table from which it is seen that there was 

 practically no difference between the check or unspraved plot and that 

 sprayed with Cooper's sheep dip. Both Bordeaux mixture and Copper 

 soda, however, yieldeu respectively 76.7 and 77.3 per cent, of absolutelv 

 clean fruit, while in both 95 per cent, was practically clean, that is to say 

 there was only an occasional small spot on the fruit not exceeding one-eighth 

 of an inch in diameter. In a large proportion a tiny speck could onlv be 

 detected around the eve about the size of a pin's head and it would gene- 

 rallv ha\e passed unnoticed. It was noticeable in the unspra\ed plot 

 that there was not such a good sample of fruit as in the others, the leaves 

 bemg more severelv attacked and the trees altogether deficient in vigour. 



Details of Expkrimknis, 1906-7. 



If the present experiments are taken in conjunction with those of the 

 previous season, it is conclusivelv shown that Sheep dius, Phenvle and 

 such like preparations are not to be compared with Bordeaux mixture or 

 Copper soda as a treatment for Black Spot. Although the two seasons 

 were verv different as regards the prevalence of the disease yet the results 

 in both cases and on the same varietv of apple, bear out the contention 

 that copper compounds are still far and away the best and most reliable 

 for orchard treatment. 



