
15 
efficiency as an insecticide, and it has been clearly demonstrated that 
under the climatic conditions east of the Alleghanies it is almost value- 
less. In California, however, the demonstration of its usefulness against 
the San Jose scale is complete, and the benefit of its application to 
orchards is most manifest. In the vicinity of Pomona, Cal., unsprayed 
orchards are as badly infested with San Jose scale as any of the invaded 
Eastern orchards are to-day, while in adjoining sprayed orchards the 
scale is entirely killed and the trees are rapidly recovering and show- 
ing vigorous and healthy new growth. In contiguous orchards, also 
of the same kinds of trees, similarly treated, so far as cultivation is 
concerned, the trees which have been subjected to yearly spraying are 
at least one-third larger than untreated trees. This wash is of value 
also as a fungicide, protecting stone fruits from leaf fungi, and is also 
a protection against birds, the common California linnet doing great 
damage to buds in January and February. The wash is almost inva- 
riably made and applied by contractors, and costs about 5 cents per 
gallon applied to the trees. It is a winter application, being applied 
in January and February. 
Along the coast region and in northern California, where moister 
conditions prevail, this wash is very much less successful, bearing out 
somewhat the experience of the East,and doubtless explained by the 
similarity of climate in the districts mentioned with that of the Atlan- 
tic seaboard. 
In making this wash the chief consideration seems to be prolonged 
boiling. The wash itself is practically a sulphide of lime, with free 
lime and salt carried with it. Prolonged boiling will result in taking 
up, temporarily at least, additional sulphur, and will perhaps add to its 
caustic properties. The proportions of the ingredients and the method 
of combining them varies slightly in different sections. The following 
is the ordinary formula: Unslaked lime, 40 pounds; sulphur, 20 pounds; 
salt, 15 pounds; one-fourth of the lime is first slaked and boiled with 
the sulphur in 20 gallons of water for two or three hours; the remainder 
of the lime is slaked and together with the salt is added to the hot 
mixture and the whole boiled for a half hour or an hour longer. 
Water is then added to make 60 gallons of wash. This wash is 
applied practically every year, or as often as the San Jose scale mani- 
fests itself in any numbers. In the coast region and in the northern 
part of California it is necessary to apply it with greater frequency 
than in the interior districts. 
TIME TO SPRAY FOR SUCKING INSECTS, 
For the larger plant-bugs and the aphides, or active plant-lice, and 
all other sucking insects which are present on the plants injuriously for 
comparatively brief periods, or at most during summer only, the treat- 
ment should be immediate, and if in the form of spray on the plants, at 
a strength which will not injure growing vegetation. 
