73^ Journal of Agriculture . [lo Nov., 1910. 



action, since it adheres well to the lea\es and prevents any fresh fungus 

 spores germinating upon them, while the soluble copper sulphate gradually 

 formed may either directly destroy the fungus spores already present, or 

 by absorption into the cells of the host-plant, render them unfit for the 

 nourishment of the fungus. There is thus an external and an internal 

 protection against the fungus and its spores, by means of a layer of the 

 copper compound on the surface, and the impregnation of the leaves by 

 the soluble compound. 



Experiments with Lime-water Bordeaux. 



In 1908, lime-water Bordeaux was tested on apple trees alongside of 

 the ordinary Bordeaux mixture, with the result that both were equally 

 efficacious in preventing the Black Spot {Fusicladium dcndriticum). The 

 former adhered just as well as the other, and it had the additional advan- 

 tages of being free from any gritty particles, of acting at once on the 

 spores of the fungus and of containing a much smaller proportion of blue- 

 stone. The details are given in the Annual Report which will shortlv 

 be issued. 



This season (1910) I have conducted spraying experiments at the School 

 of Horticulture, Burnley, with the co-operation of the Principal, E. E. 

 Pescott. The lime-water Bordeaux has been the form used, and as check 

 trees have been kept for comparison, the results will be given when the 

 fruit is gathered. The preparation is both quickly and easily made. 

 The fresh quick-lime has first to be slacked. This may be readily done 

 by just adding sufficient water to start the process and then adding more 

 gradually, as it is absorbed. The process may be hastened by the 

 addition of hot water, but it must be remembered that lime, contrary to 

 the usual rule, is less soluble in hot than in cold water. When the 

 slacked lime is mixed with water, it may either form a cream, or a milk 

 of lime, according to the amount of water added. Lime is only very 

 slightly soluble in water at the rate of about i lb. in 80 gallons of water, 

 so that I lb. of lime will l)e ample for 50 gallons of lime-water. When 

 sufficient water is added to the milk of lime, it is thoroughlv stirred and 

 then allowed to settle and the clear liquid which forms on the top in about 

 a quarter of an hour is lime-water. The lime-water is allowed to run into 

 the barrel of the spray pump as shown in the illustration on page 729, 

 the necessary bluestone in solution is added and the barrel holding 50 

 gallons is then filled up with water, when the material is ready for spray- 

 ing. Where spraying is done on a large scale, it will be found convenient 

 to rig up barrels with cocks or spigots on an elevated platform. The lime- 

 water could be made in one barrel and ordinary water contained in the 

 ■other, so that both liquids could l)e run into the barrel of the spray pump 

 iis required, without loss of time. 



