AGRICULTURAL WORK IN ONTARIO 17 



The fruit growers of the county have been very much interested 

 in spraying. The diseases and pests affecting the trees and fruit are 

 so many that they realize it is impossible to produce fruit of superior 

 quality otherwise. There are about two hundred fruit growers in 

 the county who sprayed during the past season. We did not con- 

 duct spraying demonstrations on our own account; but kept busy 

 visiting those who were spraying, and endeavoured to get them to 

 do the work as nearly right as possible. 



In 1909, tests were made with four brands of lime-sulphur, viz., 

 Vanco, Rex, Niagara and Grasselli brands. No difference in the 

 value of these materials was noticeable. We also tried using an 

 excess of lime in Bordeaux mixture. Although the mixture was 

 more difficult to apply, it seemed to be very effective in destroying 

 the Oyster Shell Scale. 



In the spring of 1910 we tested the comparative value of arsenite 

 of lime and arsenate of lead when used as an insecticide along with 

 lime-sulphur as a summer spray. The former was most effective in 

 controlling the Codling Moth, but when applied in greater quantity 

 than recommended resulted in severe burning of the foliage. In 

 spite of the latter, the fruit growers here prefer to use it on account 

 of the cheapness of preparation. 



This year the orchards which have been sprayed and cared for 

 have an abundance of first-class fruit. Preparations are being made 

 already for next year's work and much of the material is already 

 ordered. 



Mr. Whitford Collier of East Lake has an orchard of twenty 

 acres, consisting of Baldwins, Cranberry Pippin, Spies, Bottle 

 Greening, and Ben Davis. This spring he purchased a complete 

 spraying outfit and four barrels of lime-sulphur mixture. He claims 

 that the spray was worth $400 to him this season. 



There is another very good object lesson in another locality, at 

 Albury. Mr. Wm. Peck owns an old orchard of about 7 acres. A 

 year ago this orchard was very seriously affected with Leaf Blister 

 Mite and the fruit was ruined by Codling Moth. This year the or- 

 chard was sprayed thoroughly and sold for $1,500, while a year ago, 

 when there were more apples, it brought the owner less than $400. 

 The Leaf Blister Mite and the Oyster Shell Scale are possibly the 

 worst enemies of the fruit grower in this county. The lime-sulphur 

 mixture seems to control these almost entirely. The concentrated 

 material is very expensive, costing approximately $13 per barrel 

 laid down in Picton. Through the introduction of the home-boiled 

 lime-sulphur, the farmers are more apt to take hold of the spraying. 

 It is much cheaper, as it can be prepared at less than one-third the 

 cost of the commercial. 



