LIME-SULFUR 295 



fications of one preparation ; the self-boiled is mostly a mechanical 

 mixture of the lime and sulfur. 



1. Home-made dilute solution of lime-sulfur. Quick lime, 20 

 pounds; sulfur (flour or flowers), 15 pounds; water, 50 gallons. 

 The lime and sulfur must be thoroughly boiled. An iron kettle 

 is often convenient for the work. Proceed as follows: Place the 

 lime in the kettle. Add hot water gradually in sufficient quan 7 

 tity to produce the most rapid slaking of the lime. When the 

 lime begins to slake, add the sulfur and stir together. If con- 

 venient, keep the mixture covered with burlap to save the heat. 

 After slaking has ceased, add more water, and boil the mixture 

 one hour. As the sulfur goes into solution, a rich orange-red or 

 dark green color will appear. After boiling sufficiently, add water 

 to the required amount and strain into the spray tank. The wash 

 is most effective when applied warm, but may be applied cold. If 

 one has access to a steam boiler, boiling with steam is more con- 

 venient and satisfactory. Barrels may be used for holding the 

 mixture, and the steam applied by running a pipe or rubber hose 

 into the mixture. Proceed in the same manner as for boiling in 

 the kettle until the lime is slaked, when the steam may be turned 

 on. Continue boiling for forty-five minutes to an hour, or more 

 if necessary to get the sulfur well dissolved. 



This mixture can be applied safely only when the trees are dor- 

 mant, late in the autumn after the leaves have fallen, or early 

 in the spring before the buds swell. It is mainly an insecticide 

 for San Jose scale, although it has considerable value as a fungi- 

 cide for certain diseases, like the peach leaf-curl. As the San 

 Jose scale is not killed unless the solution comes in contact with 

 it, great care should be exercised to completely cover the branches. 



2. Home-made concentrated lime-sulfur wash. 



For making the concentrated mixture, the steps are the same 

 as in making the usual boiled wash, but the following formula 

 should be used : 



r Pure calcium oxide 36 Ib. 



or 



Lump lime \ 95 per ct. calcium oxide . 38 Ib. 



or 



1 90 per ct. calcium oxide 40 Ib. 



Sulfur 80 Ib. 



Water 50 gal. 



