25 



previously painted with the oil. The graf ts were 2 or 3 feet long, and had 

 undoubtedly been severely injured by the oil. The lateral buds were 

 dead in many cases and the foliage looked weak and sickly May 21. 

 Since then portions of these trees have died. The killing of lateral 

 buds was also noticed by Mr. Morrell on other trees sprayed with 

 about this proportion of crude petroleum. The foliage was very thin, 

 many of the lateral buds were killed, and the leaves were small and 

 unhealthy. Writing- June 20, Mr. Morrell states that with very few 

 exceptions the trees painted with crude petroleum in the middle of 

 February are looking well, some having some fine fruit on them. 

 The most striking result was seen in three King trees painted by this 

 gentleman with crude petroleum December 1, 1899. One of these 

 King trees was photographed May 21, and was then nearly dead. 

 June 20 Mr. Morrell stated that these trees are dead so far as one can 

 see. 



These facts show that crude petroleum may seriously injure trees 

 under certain conditions. The trees may eventually outgrow the harm, 

 and it is possible that the injury would be no greater than the scale 

 would cause if allowed to go unchecked. The foregoing shows that 

 the injury to the tree is less the later in the spring the application is 

 made, provided the buds have not opened. The mechanical dilutions 

 of crude petroleum, at least up to 25 per cent, appear to be harmless 

 if applied before the buds open, and it is hoped that they will prove 

 effective in controlling the scale. 



A general discussion followed the reading of Mr. Felt's paper. 



Mr. Gillette considered the subject one of great importance. In 

 Colorado a number of people had sprayed in the early spring with 

 crude petroleum because of the recommendations seen in newspapers. 

 He asked if others present had tried crude petroleum, and if so, with 

 what results. 



Mr. Scott said that in Georgia he had carried out experiments along 

 this line in February and March on peach and plum trees, about 3 

 barrels of crude petroleum purchased from the Standard Oil Company 

 being used, at from 20 per cent up to the pure oil. He found that 

 pure crude petroleum killed peaches and plums outright. 



Mr. Felt asked when the oil was applied. 



Mr. Scott stated just before the fruit buds opened in the spring. 

 Fifty per cent and less strength did very little damage, but the best 

 results were obtained with 25 per cent in mechanical mixture with 

 water sprayed with a Gould kero-water sprayer. He also used 30 per 

 cent, which did no damage to the trees and was quite effective in 

 destroying the scale, but a mixture stronger than 25 per cent seemed 

 unnecessary, as all the insects reached by the spra}^ were killed accord- 



