88 



The Canadian Horticulturist. 



The eflfect of this improvement in quality alone upon the gross receipts from an acre 

 of bearing apple trees may be shown as follows : — Supposing the yield to be 50 barrels, we 

 find according to results gained that spraying would give at ordinary market rates, $2.50, 

 $1 75 and 75c., for first, second and third class respectively : $56.75 worth of No. 1 fruit, 

 $31.50 worth of " seconds," and $6.97 worth of "' thirds," or a total of $95.22. The same 

 area unsprayed would give of No. 1 fruit $26. 75, of No. 2 $37, and of third class $13.64, or 

 a total return of .$77.40, leaving a balance in favor of the sprayed acre of $17.82. This is 

 supposing that all the " seconds " and " thirds," which in the case of the unsprayed is very 

 large, could be sold. The cost of spraying an acre of apple trees will vary according to the 

 size of the trees ; using diluted Bordeaux mixture and making five applications, it need 

 not exceed $6 and may be under $5. There would thus be a nett profit of $10 to $12 on 

 the basis of equal yields and improved quality. As a result of the experiments referred 

 to. and looking at spraying as affecting the yield, we find that the sprayed trees gave 74 per 

 cent, of the total yield. This return added to the improved quality, gives a difference in 

 the nett receipts of $51.53 in favor of the sprayed acre. 



The Spraying Mixtures recommended by Mr. Craig for use in 1895 are 

 given below. 



Bordeaux Mixture. 



The ingredients are copper sulphate, lime and water, in the following proportions : 



Copper sulphate 4 lbs. 



Lime 4 lbs. 



Water 50 gals., or one kerosene barrel. 



Fig. 734. 



To destroy leaf -eating insects, add 4 oz of Paris green. For peaches, use 3 lbs. each 

 of copper sulphate and lime and 3 oz of Paris green, on account of the tenderness of the 

 foliage. 



When a single barrelful of this is required, dissolve in the barrel 4 lbs of copper sul- 

 phate (blue stone). Hot water facilitates the operation. To dissolve quickly place the 

 copper sulphate in a cotton bag or basket, and suspend this in the vessel containing the 

 water so that it is entirely immersed. Solution rapidly takes place. In another vessel 

 slake 4 lbs. of fresh lime with as many gallons of water. If the lime when slaked is lumpy 

 or granular it should be strained through a fine sieve, or coarse sacking, into the barrel 

 containing the copper sulphate now in solution, fill the barrel with water. It should be 

 used soon after being prepared. 



When a large amount of spraying is contemplated it is a good plan to make up a stock 

 solution separately, each, of lime and blue stone, which can be diluted as needed : — Dis- 

 solve 100 lbs. of copper sulphate in 50 gallons of water ; two gallons when dissolved will 

 contain 4 lbs. of the salt. In another barrel slake 100 lbs. of lime and make up to a milk 

 by adding 50 gallons of water ; when well stirred two gallons should contain 4 lbs. of lime. 

 VVhen it is desired to make a barrel of Bordeaux mixture, take two gallons of the stock 

 solution of copper sulphate and add the same quantity of the milk of lime ; if the lime is 

 of good quality it will be sufficient to neutralize it completely. If the lime is air-slaked 

 or impure, the right quantity can be ascertained by applying the ferrocyanide of potassium 

 test. If the lime is deficient, a drop oi the ferrocyanide of potassium (yellow prussiate of 

 potash) added to the mixture will turn brown. Add lime water till the drop of ferrocy- 

 anide of potassium remains colorless. 



