Lime-Sulphur Concentrate. 3 
concentrates are usually of a uniform density, testing from about 
32° to 33° Baumé, whereas in the homemade solutions the density 
may vary from 23° to 34° Baumé, depending upon the formula used, 
the purity of the lime and sulphur, and the care with which it is 
made. From this it should not be inferred that the homemade product 
is inferior to the commercial, but if of a weaker strength more of 
it must be used to compensate for its lower sulphur content. The 
commercial concentrate is usually a clear, cherry-red liquid, its clarity 
being due to its having been drawn from settling tanks and carefully 
strained or filtered. The homemade concentrate is not usually so 
clear, owing to the presence of a dark greenish, cloudlike sediment, 
which, however, is so finely divided that it is nowise objectionable. 
MAKING LIME-SULPHUR ON THE FARM. 
It is impossible to state definitely the conditions under which it is 
profitable to make lime-sulphur concentrate on the farm. Some 
orchardists contend that for the average owner there is no economy 
in doing so. Exceptions to this opinion, however, are manifested by 
the comparatively large number of home plants that may be found 
in orchard sections. Unless a grower lives near a commercial plant 
or factory where this solution is manufactured, it may often be 
cheaper for him to make it than to purchase it, especially where a 
nonrefundable charge is made for the barrel container... 
The owner of en orchard of 30 to 40 acres or more, in which lime- 
sulphur is regularly used for spraying purposes, will find it advisable 
to consider building a simple plant on his farm for the purpose of pre- 
paring his own mixture; or it may be mutually advantageous for two 
or more fruit growers to unite in the construction of a plant, thus 
effecting a saving over the cost of purchasing the lime-sulphur con- 
centrate. Community plants built on a still larger scale and operated 
on a cooperative basis have often proved profitable. For description 
of plants see pages 11 to 41. :; 
MATERIALS FOR MAKING. 
The only raw materials required for the manufacture of lime- 
sulphur concentrates are lime, sulphur, and water. 
“LIME. 
It is essential to use a high-grade, freshly burned ? stone lime (CaQ), 
known also as lump lime or quicklime, containing at least 90 per 
cent of calcium oxid and having as low a magnesium content (prefer- 
ably not to exceed 5 per cent) as can be secured. The presence of 
magnesium oxid in the lime is very undesirable, since it forms insolu- 
ble compounds, thereby increasing the amount of sediment. Before 
purchasing lime the fruit grower should ascertain its analysis either 
from the producer or from the State agricultural experiment station. 
° Stone lime should also be thoroughly burned, otherwise it wil? contain carbonates \f 
ealcium and magnesium, which will not go into solution. 
