208 



FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



still unsprayed, spraying 

 is practiced regularly by 

 the best fruit growers. It 

 consists in spraying the 

 trees with a liquid that 

 destroys the harmful in- 

 sects and fungi without in- 

 jury to the tree and fruits. 

 The particular liquid used 

 and the time that it is ap- 

 plied vary with the differ- 

 ent regions and different 

 fruits. For most fungus 

 diseases the mixture used 

 consists of 4 pounds of 

 copper sulphate, 5 pounds 

 of lime and 50 gallons of 

 water. Paris green is the 

 poison generally applied 

 for chewing insects, although other forms of arsenic 

 are often preferable. This poison is generally applied 

 with the former mixture, taking 6 to 8 ounces for the 

 above amount. 



EXERCISE. Select a site in your locality that you believe would be 

 an ideal one for an orchard. Explain your reasons for this selection. 

 Is there an orchard in your locality that you think is poorly situated? 

 Why? Explain the proper method of planting a tree. How far 

 apart are the apple trees planted on your farm or in an orchard in 

 your locality? Do you think that this distance is the most desirable? 

 Why is it necessary to prune the branches on the tree after it has 

 been transplanted? How many farmers in your locality till their 

 orchards? How many do not? Which are the more successful in 

 producing good crops of fruit? Why is a cover crop advisable? 

 Describe some harmful insects or diseases that you have seen on the 

 apple. How could these have been prevented? 



A WELL-TILLED ORCHARD. 



