EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 633 



forms a coating oz'cr the fine, dense plant hairs. A great many 

 scales are thus protected, especially near the tips, from actual 

 contact with the wash, and mature undisturbed. 



The experience of a Mercer county pear grower, wdio has 

 used the lime-salt-sulphur boiled wash and the crude oil side 

 by side for three years in succession, leads him to the conclusion 

 that the boiled wash cannot be in the long run, satisfactory on 

 old trees, especially those with the Bartlett habit of growth. It 

 tends to intensify the roughness and scurfiness of the bark and 

 tw4gs, and this affords shelter to' the scale. The oil has the 

 opposite effect ; penetrating all crevices, softening the tissues 

 and apparentb' stimulating growth. For the best effect tlie oil 

 should be slightly warmed and put on in a very fine mist. 



The experience of the past year has been instructive if dis- 

 appointing. It is scarcely probable that at any time the material 

 will make a worse showing, yet its value on peach and plum 

 has been established, and its use is recommended. Judging the 

 future from the past, it seems scarcely probable that the incom- 

 prehensible lack of effect on apple and pear will be duplicated 

 at once. Yet if the material is not to be relied upon, it .would 

 be better to make two^ applications rather than one : the first any 

 time after the trees are dormant, the second just before the trees 

 make a start. The fall application will not injure fruit buds. 

 On pear the oil is recommended applied under the restrictions 

 given in Bulletin No. 169. 



As to the make-up of the wash, I have drawn on the experi- 

 ence of not only our own growers, but those of other States, 

 and the reports from other stations, and on the whole I prefer 

 to adhere to the formula and directions of Bulletin No. 169, 

 as follows : 



Lime — stone or shell 50 pounas. 



Sulphur — flowers or ground 50 pounds. 



Salt 50 pounds. 



Water 150 gallons. 



Slake the lime with water enough to do it thoroughly, and 

 during the process add the sulphur. Boil one hour, with just 

 water enough to prevent burning and until the mixture be- 

 comes of a deep amber color. Dissolve the salt in water enough 

 to do it quickly, and add slowly to the boiling mass. When all 

 is thoroughly mixed together and has actually boiled at least 

 one hour, add water enough lO' make up the 150 gallons and 

 apply quite hot. If ground sulphur is used, boil at least one and 

 one-half hours, to dissolve it all. 



