410 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



present in the orchard or locahty. If the San Jose scale is there a 

 thorough spraying with the hrne-sulphur wash, just before the buds 

 swell in the spring, will be found to be the most efficacious treatment. 

 Some of the other ways of fighting this pest come highly recommended, 

 particularly the soluble oils, but in the writer's observation the best 

 thing at present is the lime-sulphur, and one has the satisfaction of 

 knowing that while he is driving this pest out of his plantation he is 

 also most effectively reducing the vigor of a number of fungous dis- 

 eases, which might have caused trouble later in the season. In this 

 connection (fighting insects and fungi) one is frequently asked as to 

 the desirability of scraping the trees to remove the rough, scaly bark. 

 While this ought not to be necessary as a regular practice in orchards 

 which are cared for, and especially in those which are sprayed, yet in 

 the beginning I believe it is an excellent treatment for such orchards 

 as we are considering. Certainly it will add materially to the effect- 

 iveness of any washes which may be applied to the trunks of the trees. 

 Next to the lime-sulphur wash, Bordeaux mixture stands out pre- 

 eminently as the spraying material. And if the San Jose scale is not 

 in the orchard it will probably be the only material necessary to use 

 if we add to it, as of course we will, some arsenical poison, preferably 

 arsenate of lead, for chewing insects. It is a little difficult to outline 

 just what the season's campaign should be in spraying, without know- 

 ing what foes we have to combat, but in general the following will be 

 found satisfactory. Begin before the buds swell, at least to any extent, 

 and make a thorough application of Bordeaux mixture. Use the Bor- 

 deaux type of nozzle, which throws a coarse stream with more force 

 than other types. Spray trunk and main branches, as well as the top, 

 and with these parts particularly, trunk and large branches, do not 

 be afraid to use plenty of material. This is contrary to the rules of 

 good spraying when the trees are in leaf, but when they are bare the 

 advantage of reaching thoroughly all the cracks and crevices in the 

 bark will offset any disadvantages. Let this spraying be followed by 

 another, just before the blossom buds open, when they are large 

 enough to be separated from each other in the cluster and to show 

 some pink or white, but before they have opened enough to show the 

 stamens or pistils. For this spraying I should use the same materials, 

 Bordeaux mixture and arsenate of lead, but I should use an entirely 

 different nozzle, selecting one of the Vermorel or the Friend type, 

 which, instead of throwing a coarse stream with some force, delivers 

 the spray in fog-like mist, which will float about among the leaves and 

 buds, and thus reach all parts of them. I should be much more care- 

 ful about drenching the trees. Spray so as to wet them thoroughly 

 with as little drip as possible, and again spray trunk and main branches 

 as well as the other parts. If this spraying is followed by a third one 

 within a week or ten days after the petals have fallen from the blossoms, 

 using the same materials and the same nozzle, and the same precau- 

 tions, as in the second spraying, I shoukl have a great deal of confidence 



