254 THE SPRAYING OF FRUITS. 



creamy lime, and then add enough water to satisfy the formula. 

 If the ferrocyanide test is used, place a spoonful of the mixture 

 in a saucer or plate, and add a drop of the test solution. If a 

 red color appears, the mixture needs more lime. If the test 

 solution is added directly to a tank or barrel of the mixture, 

 the color reaction is apt to be lost in the mass. An excess of 

 lime insures the safety of the mixture, and it is always advis- 

 able to add a little more lime even after the ferrocyanide test 

 is satisfied. 



If the lime is thoroughly slaked and is allowed to settle be- 

 fore being used (only the thick, creamy portion being dipped 

 off for making the mixture), the sediment will fall to the 

 bottom of the slaking-box, and if the McGowen nozzle is used, 

 the material will not need to be strained. 



Ammoniacal Copper Carbonate. Copper carbonate, one 

 ounce ; ammonia, enough to dissolve the copper ; water, nine 

 gallons; before making the solution the ammonia should be 

 prepared as follows : Use 26 ammonia and dilute with seven 

 to eight volumes of water. Then gradually add the necessary 

 amount to the copper carbonate until all is dissolved. It is 

 best treated in large bottles, and in them it will keep indefi- 

 nitely. Dilute as required. For same purposes as the Bor- 

 deaux mixture, and used chiefly upon fruits after they are 

 nearly grown, and upon ornamental plants, to avoid the dis- 

 coloration which follows the use of Bordeaux mixture. Gen- 

 erally considered to be inferior to the Bordeaux mixture in 

 fungicidal action. 



Copper Sulphate Solution. The simple solution of copper 

 sulphate is now being used more extensively as a substitute 

 for Bordeaux in spraying dormant trees and in place of the 

 ammoniacal carbonate of copper for spraying ripening fruit. 

 For the first purpose it may be used at the rate of one pound 

 to 15-25 gallons. This strength should never be applied to 

 trees which are in foliage. For spraying fruit (especially for 

 the plum rot) the strength should be one pound to 200-300 

 gallons. Use the weaker solution on peaches and Japanese 

 plums. It does not stick like Bordeaux, and must be applied 

 about twice as often in order to be effective, 



