Insect and Disease Control 285 



Fungicides 



Self-boiled lime-sidfur mixture. 



By far the most important fungicide for the peach-grower 

 is the self-boiled lime-sulfur mixture. Its great importance 

 is that it will control in a high degree the two most destruc- 

 tive fungous diseases of the peach — brown-rot and scab — 

 and can be used if properly made without injury to the 

 foliage. Though of value primarily as a fungicide, when 

 used on trees that are infested with the San Jose scale it 

 has been found that the applications are of considerable 

 importance in killing the young before they begin to secrete 

 the protective scale covering. 



Directions for preparing the self-boiled lime-sulfur mix- 

 ture as given by W. M. Scott/ who first worked out this 

 preparation as a fungicide for use on peaches, are as follows : 



"The standard self-boiled lime-sulfur mixture is com- 

 posed of 8 pounds of fresh stone lime and 8 pounds of sulfur 

 to 50 gallons of water. In mild cases of brown-rot and scab 

 a weaker mixture containing 6 pounds of each ingredient 

 to 50 gallons of water may be used with satisfactory results. 

 The materials cost so little, however, that one should not 

 economize in this direction where a valuable fruit crop is 

 at stake. Any finely powdered sulfur (flowers, flour, or 

 "commercial ground" sulfur) may be used in the prepara- 

 tion of the mixture. 



"In order to secure the best action from the lime, the 

 mixture should be prepared in rather large quantities, at 

 least enough for 200 gallons of spray, using 32 pounds of 

 lime and 32 pounds of sulfur. The lime should be placed 

 in a barrel and enough water (about 6 gallons) poured on 



1 Farmers' Bull. 440- 



