SPRAYING FRUITS. 379 
SPRAYING FOR FUNGOUS DISEASES OF THE APPLE, PEAR, 
AND OTHER FRUITS. 
Probably in no other country of the world is spraying for fungous dis- 
eases of fruits practiced to the same extent asin the United States. Five 
years ago practically nothing was known of this subject; in fact, the 
number actively engaged in spraying their trees, vines, etc., for such dis- 
eases as apple scab, black-rot, downy mildew and other diseases of the 
grape, did not exceed half a hundred, all told. Now, as a fair estimate, 
probably no less than 50,000 fruit growers are engaged in this work. From 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the great lakes to the gulf, the 
methods recommended by the Department are practiced every year. 
Canada has also adopted many of the suggestions made by us, and even 
now Australia is actively engaged in experiments in the treatment of 
apple, pear, peach, and other diseases in accordance with suggestions 
originating with this Department. 
DOES IT PAY TO SPRAY ? 
This question is in large part answered by the facts already given. No 
work that did not carry merit with it could have had such a phenomenal 
growth. To give a more direct answer, however, it may be stated that 
last season two hundred and fifty grape-growers in different parts of the 
country made a series of observations with a view of obtaining some 
definite information as to the value in dollars and cents of the recom- 
mendations made by the Department in the treatment of grape diseases. 
The facts reported by these men show conclusively that the actual profit 
to them over all expenses resulting from the treatment of black-rot and 
downy mildew was in round numbers $37,000. Thirteen thousand dollars 
of this sum was reported from the State of New York alone. 
Other examples equally as striking could be given, but this is sufficient 
forour purpose. Of course, every one is not successful, but where failure 
is reported it is usually easy to locate and remedy the trouble. 
FUNGICIDES, OR REMEDIES USED IN SPRAYING. 
Numerous preparations have been recommended and used for this work. 
For all practical purposes, however, there are but four which properly 
may be called remedies. They are (1) Bordeaux mixture, (2) ammoniacal 
‘solution of copper carbonate, (3) eau céleste, and (4) modified eau céleste. 
The latest experiments indicate that the best results will follow the use 
of these preparations when made as follows: 
1.— BORDEAUX MIXTURE. 
In a barrel that will hold 45 gallons dissolve 6 pounds of copper sulphate, 
using 8 or 10 gallons of water, or as much as may be necessary for the 
purpose. In a tub or half barrel slake 4 pounds of fresh lime. When 
completely slaked add enough water to make a creamy whitewash. Pour 
this slowly into the barrel containing the copper-sulphate solution, using 
a coarse gunny sack stretched over the head of the barrel for a strainer. 
Finally fill the barrel with water, stir thoroughly, and the mixture is 
ready for use. Prepared in this way the cost of 1 gallon of the mixture 
will not exceed 1 cent, the price of copper sulphate being 7 cents per 
