THE PREPARATION OF UME, SULPHUR AND SALT. 



169 



apples for all purposes. The tree is a med- 

 ium grower here and fairly healthy." W. H. 

 Dempsey, Trenton. 



"The Gravenstein has not been largely 

 planted in this district, but what have been 

 planted have succeeded quite satisfactorily. 

 The tree is a vigorous, spreading grower, 

 especially while young. I do not know of 

 any Gravenstein trees that have been blighted 

 or frozen or been scalded by the sun, 



although some here have been planted 30 

 years. The trees are good average bearers 

 of very handsome fruit of excellent quality, 

 but like many other varieties of fine apples, 

 they are only fall or late fall apples, ripening 

 generally before Christmas. Taken fully 

 matured it is very delicious. For home 

 market, or the North-West, it should prove 

 profitable." R. L. Huggard, Whitby. 



ON THE PREPARATION OF LIME, SULPHUR AND SALT SPRAY. 



BY FRANK T. SHUTT, CHEMIST, DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS, OTTAWA. 



'HIS mixture has recently received Sulphur 20 lbs. 



considerable attention in the horti- Water 60 gallons. 



cultural press and several formulae. We also tried a formula with a large ex- 



withvaryingmethods of preparation, cess of lime and obtained a good result: 



have appeared. This has given rise to en- Lime 35 lbs. 



quiries as to the best mode to adopt in Sulphur 15 lbs. 



making the spray. To answer these the Water 50 gallons. 



more satisfactorily, we have within the past 2. The Lime.— The lime should be thor- 

 few weeks made a series of experiments oughly slaked to avoid subsequent clogging 

 using the quantities and methods of pro- ^f t^e nozzle. If part of the lime is added 

 cedure advocated by the more important ^fter the spraying mixture is made as direct- 

 authorities, and as a result have obtained gj j^ some recipes, the proportion of lime to 

 information on one or two points that may sulphur in the mixture as boiled should not be 

 be of interest to orchardists. less tj^^n j^at indicated in the first formula 



I. Proportions. — Since the insecticidal and diven above. 



fungicidal properties of the spray appear to ^ jhe Boiling.— It is essential that the 



be due to sulphide of lime and not to free boiling should be continued a sufficient 



(uncombined) sulphur or lime, it is desirable length of time to allow all the sulphur to 



on the grounds of economy and efficiency enter into combination. This, if accompanied 



that the proportion of sulphur to lime should by constant stirring, will be usually between 



be such that after boiling there may be little 2 and a hours. 



or no free sulphur in the mixture. We find ^^ x|,e Salt— The addition of salt (usually 



to ensure this that the quantity of lime at the rate of 15 lbs. to each of the forego- 



should at least equal that of the sulphur. \^^ formula) is recommended by all writers. 



An excess of lime apparently does no harm ; x^is may be from its alleged action in in- 



indeed, according to some authorities, it is creasing the adhesive qualities of the spray, 



necessary in order to give the spray the cor- n ^oes not seem to affect its properties 



rect consistency, but too large an excess is otherwise. 



certainly to be avoided as it will be apt to 5. Apply Hot.— On cooling certain of the 



cause clogging of the nozzle. We have Hme sulphides formed crystalize out. It is, 



found the following proportion satisfactory : therefore important, we consider, to make 



Lime 25 lbs. the application while the mixture is still hot. 



