EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 635 



Lime 33 pounds. 



yulphur — flowers 17 pounds. 



Caustic soda 414 pounds. 



Water .50 gallons. 



"Slake two-thirds of the hme with water enough to prevent 

 either burning or drowning, and during the process sift over 

 and stir in half the sulphur. Then add the remainder of the 

 lime, with more water and, as the boiling continues, stir m the 

 balance of the sulphur. Add water as needed, stirring to help 

 the combination. While the mixture is yet steaming, add one- 

 third of the caustic soda, which will cause a violent boiling, and 

 before this is over add another third. If then, the mixture has 

 not reached a brick red color, add the remainder. If too much 

 water is used at the beginning or during subsequent operations, 

 it may be necessarv' to use more soda than the formula calls 

 for, to insure the red color of the mixture. This is tlien diluted 

 to make fifty gallons." 



"If warm water is used in the process the chemical action 

 W'ill develop heat enough to make a good combination of the 

 lime and sulphur, and if warm water be used to dilute, a per- 

 fect spraying mixture will result. A good quality of stone lime 

 should be used and a good quality of caustic soda or potash. 

 Any of the usual "lye'' preparations will answer; but it must 

 be remembered that a can of "lye" does not equal a praind. 

 Ground sulphur should not be used here, because it does not 

 combine so readily as the flowers." 



"This wash has been found quite effective, but it is not so 

 good as the boiled mixture, and costs a little more. Its use is 

 yet in the experimental stage ; but as it is easily prepared, it 

 will prove useful when only a little is needed. The combination 

 originated with the New York Geneva Station." 



Since the above was written it lias seemed well to modify the 

 suggestion that "Any cf the usual 'lye' preparations will 

 answer.'' Experience has proved that they are so variable in 

 composition that it is almost impossible to anticipate what their 

 action will l>e or how much will be needed. It will be cheaper 

 and much better to purchase the caustic soda of 74 per cent, 

 or over, in ten-pound cans. After the wash has been once made 

 with this material, it can be again used in the same proportion 

 with a fair prospect of securing a similar result. 



Prof. Parrott, of the New York Geneva Station, has modified 

 this formula slightly, using 30 pounds of lime, 15 pounds of 

 sulphur and 6 pounds of caustic soda. 



