SPRAYING 83 



SELF-BOILED LIME-SULPHUR 



Another method of making the lime-sulphur spray 

 produces what is called the self-boiled mixture, 

 which seems to have properties considerably differ- 

 ent from the mixture described above. This self- 

 boiled mixture seems to be especially valuable as a 

 fungicide, particularly on the peach. It controls the 

 leaf-curl, the brown rot, the scab, and, when arse- 

 nate of lead is added at the spraying, after the blos- 

 soming season, the curculio also. The most recent 

 methods of making this mixture, as worked out by 

 Scott and Ayres of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, are as follows : 



The 8-8-50 formula is recommended. This mix- 

 ture can best be prepared in rather large quantities 

 say enough for 200 gallons at a time, making the 

 formula 32 pounds of lime and 32 pounds of sulphur, 

 to be cooked with 8 or 10 gallons of water, and then 

 diluted to 200 gallons. 



The lime should be placed in a barrel and enough 

 water poured on almost to cover it. As soon as the 

 lime begins to slake the sulphur should be added 

 after first running it through a sieve to break up the 

 lumps. The mixture should be constantly stirred 

 and more water added as needed to form a thick 

 paste at first, and then gradually a thin paste. The 

 lime will supply enough heat to boil the mixture 

 several minutes. As soon as it is well slaked, water 

 should be added to cool the mixture and prevent 

 further cooking. It is then ready to be strained into 

 the spray tank, diluted and applied. 



The stage at which cold water should be poured 

 on to stop the cooking varies with different limes. 

 Some limes are so sluggish in slaking that it is diffi- 



