50 



orchard spray pump on wheels through the orchards, the spray 

 being continually washed off and serving little purpose. 



The U.S. Department of Agriculture say as follows : 



This wash (Bordeaux) has long been recognized as possessing 

 the most valuable qualities, and it is probably more generally used 

 to-day than all other fungicides combined. The chief points in 

 its favour are, (1) its thorough effectiveness as a fungicide, (2) 

 its cheapness, (3) its safety from a hygienic standpoint, (4) its 

 harmlessness to the sprayed plant, and (5) its beneficial effects on 

 plants other than those resulting from the mere prevention of the 

 attacks of parasites. 



All things considered, it is believed that the best results will be 

 obtained from the use of what is known as the 50-gallon formula 

 of this preparation. This contains 



Water ... ... ... ... ... 50 gallons 



Copper sulphate... ... ... ... 6 pounds 



Unslacked lime ... ... ... ... 4 pounds 



It has been found that the method of combining the 

 ingredients has an important bearing on both the chemical com- 

 position and physical structure of the mixture. For example, if 

 the copper sulphate is dissolved in a small quantity of water and 

 the lime milk diluted to a limited extent only, there results, 

 when these materials are brought together, a thick mixture, 

 having strikingly different characters from one made by pouring 

 together weak solutions of lime and copper sulphate. It is true r 

 furthermore, that if the copper sulphate solution and lime milk 

 are poured together while the latter or both are warm, different 

 effects are obtained than if both solutions are cool at the moment 

 of mixing. Where the mixture has been properly made there is 

 scarcely any settling after an hour, while the improperly made 

 mixture may settle more than half. 



Briefly, the best results have been obtained from the use of the 

 Bordeaux mixture made in accordance with the following 

 directions. In a barrel or other suitable vessel place 25 gallons of 

 water. Weigh out 6 pounds of copper sulphate, then tie the 

 same in a piece of coarse gunny sack and suspend it just beneath 

 the surface of the water. By tying the bag to a stick laid across- 

 the top of the barrel no further attention will be required. In 

 another vessel slack 4 pounds of lime, using care in order to 

 obtain a smooth paste, free from grit and small lumps. To accom- 

 plish this it is best to place the lime in an ordinary water pail and 

 add only a small quantity of water at first, &ay a quart, or a quart 

 and a half. When the lime begins to crack and crumble and the 

 water to disappear, add another quart or more, exercising care 

 that the lime at no time gets too dry. Towards the last consider- 

 able water will be required, but if added carefully and slowly a 

 perfectly smooth paste will be obtained, provided, of course, the 

 lime is of good quality. When the lime is slacked add sufficient 



