136 TOMATO CULTURE 



also attacked and becomes covered with the mildew- 

 Hke spore-bearing threads of the fungus. Bordeaux 

 mixture properly appHed is an efficient preventive. 



Spraying tomatoes. — It should be the invariable 

 practice of the tomato grower to spray with Bordeaux 

 mixture to prevent injury from any of these leaf- 

 blights. This should be done while the plants are still 

 healthy, as if put off until the disease appears the 

 battle is half lost. Make the first application to the 

 young plants in the seed-bed a few days before trans- 

 planting. Spray again within a week after the plants 

 are set in the field, and repeat at intervals of ten days 

 or two weeks until the fruit is full grown. Success in 

 spraying depends mainly on the thoroughness of the 

 work. The aim should be to cover every leaf with a 

 fine mist. Do not drench the foliage but pass to the 

 next plant before the drops run together and off the 

 leaf. Use a nozzle that gives a fine spray and main- 

 tain a high pressure at the pump. 



Preparation of Bordeaux mixture. — Formula : Cop- 

 per sulphate (bluestone), 5 pounds; lime, 5 pounds; 

 and water, 50 gallons. The copper sulphate may be 

 either in crystals or pulverized. Dissolve by suspend- 

 ing the required amount in a coarse sack near the top 

 of the water a few hours before it will be needed. The 

 lime must be fresh stone lime of good quality. Slake 

 thoroughly by the addition of small quantities of water 

 at a time as needed, stirring until all small lumps 

 are slaked. Strain both the lime milk and the cop- 

 per sulphate or bluestone solution through a brass 

 strainer of 18 meshes per inch and dilute each with 

 half the water before mixing together. Do not use 



