EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 609 



caustic soda, 1^4 pounds in 2 gallons of water. The applica- 

 tion was made especially heavy, to get a maximum effect on 

 both scale and fruit buds. At the time the application was 

 made the tree seemed plump and full of life, Ixit soon afterward 

 it began to dry and shrivel until, during the early days of May, 

 it was found to be entirely without life. June J 3th it was 

 taken out. 



Just what killed this tree, it is difficult to say. The tree was 

 young, yet well established ; it was scaly, yet plump, and, appar- 

 ently, full (jf life. The application of caustic soda was severe, 

 and may haxe been the cause of death ; yet, thoiigh I would not 

 have been surprised to see some of the smaller branches killed, 

 I would not readily believe in the killing of the entire tree. The 

 intense, continued cold of the winter, which affected all my peach 

 trees to some extent, may be responsible, and, I am inclined to 

 believe, is really the greatest factor, though the others con- 

 tributed, I have no doubt. 



Trek 7 — Champion Peach. March loth, applied the "Univer- 

 sal Insecticide and Scale Killer" thoroughly, from all sides, 

 aiming especially to get at the base of last year's wood. 



April 26th, when the tree began to make a start, it was found 

 that there was considerable dead wood in the upper portion, and, 

 in general, toward the ends of the longer branches. The only 

 really vigorous part was in the center, among the new wood 

 made last year. May 7th, a good start was made on all the 

 live woo.d, and on the nth several blossoms were found. 



Matters w-ere left to^ move along until early June, when new 

 and vigorous shoorts were starting from all the living parts of 

 the tree, and then all the dead wood was cut orit. 



June 27th, there was not much living scale, but there had 

 been some breeding, and some recent sets were found on last 

 year's wood. July 8th, there was a little increase, and the tree 

 was sprayed Avith the horticultural compound, 2 ounces in i 

 gallon of water. At all times, when examined during the next 

 month, a few specimens of all stages were foiuid, and these 

 increased in number until August 19th, it was deemedi best to re- 

 spray with the others that had been similarly treated. So in the 

 same way a third application was made August 29th, using the 

 horticultural compound at the same strength as before. The 

 material seemed to have little effect at this time, and, even two 

 days later, there were plenty of larvae and recent sets. The rate of 

 increase was not very rapid, yet, on Octo]>er 19th, it v as deemed 

 best to spray with Kill-O-Scale, 1 part to water 20 parts. Next 



