Proceedings, 195:3 li.)3 



What ahe the Aiuersi; Reports ox Casein Spreader 



Witli a new substanee introduft'd extensively for tlie first time, and 

 tested under a great variety of eiroumstanees, some adverse reports and 

 serious criticisms are to be expected. Vague rumors and occasional 

 reports coming in during tlie season led one to expect a rather definite 

 and general unfav()ral)le report upon some jjoints. May I say that, 

 everything considered. I am most agreeably surprised at the general and 

 united favorable attitude on spreaders. 



The one rather general complaint of the rommercial casein spreaders 

 is their cost. In this paper, I shall attemjit neither to condone nor defend; 

 I do hope it will be possible, as the business develops, for the commercial 

 companies to decrease the cost of their product. 



D. F. Fisher. Federal Pathologist of Wenatchee. has developed two 

 modified casein formulae, and they were used rather extensively in tlie 

 Wenatchee fruit section by growers this season. Two dilfereiit methods 

 have been used : 



Water 1 gallon 



Caustic soda 3 ounces 



Casein 1 pound 



TJie caustic soda is dissolved in the water wliile bringing to a boil, 

 then the casein is slowl\- sifted in with careful stirring to avoid lumping. 

 A little boiling will dissolve the casein, and this solution then forms the 

 stock solution and may be used as a spreader at the rate of one pint to 

 the 100 gallons, or the above amount is sufficient for 800 gallons of spray. 



The second method is similar except that one employs baking soda 

 instead of caustic soda, and the material does not need to be cooked. 

 Probably a rather finely ground casein would be advantageous, and two 

 gallons of water would avoid working with so thick a jDaste as otherwise. 

 This stock must be used within reasonable time after its preparation 

 because of the deterioration with a development of most unpleasant odors. 



Summarizing our information on the casein spreaders, then, we may 

 say that : 



1. While there is considerable room for question as to the value of 

 spreaders in increasing the toxic efficiency of the poison spray applica- 

 tion where high-powered outfits are employed in the hands of experienced 

 operators and the applications carefully timed, for tlie vast majority of 

 growers the addition of spreaders is of advantage. 



2. By increasing the evenness of the spray deposit, it is possible 

 to obtain a more even coloring of the fruit, a point of more than passing 

 importance. If it will avoid the necessity for wiping, as was the case 

 with many growers this season, this likewise will prove a decided factor 

 ill favor of their more general adoption. 



