-8- 



1 



jimmate up to 1 pound per gallon is safe to use around apple trees 

 after they are three years old. Preliminary experiments indicate that 

 the same is true for pears, plums and cherries. On the other hand, this 

 material is very toxic to peaches and blueberries and should not be used 

 around these fruits. Since Amiaate is very corrosive on metals, any equip- 

 ment in which this spray is used should be thoroughly wasiied v.'ith v-^ater 

 containing baking soda or spray lime immediately following use, 



Atlacide appears to be safe aroimd apple, pear, plum and cherry 

 trees thre^ y^jars old or older, providing not more than 1 1/4 pound per 

 gallon and not more than 1 gallon per 100 square feet is used. This spray 

 is toxic to blueberries. 



Some of the advantages and disadvaiitages of those two sprays are; 

 Al-UvIATE - Advantages -(1) Highly effective, (2) Readily soluble, (3) No 

 fire hazard, (4j Kon-toxic to animals, (5) Rapid breakdovrn in soil. Dis- 

 advantages - (1) Corrosive action, (2) Higher cost. ATLACIDE - Advantages - 

 (1) Highly effective, (2) Lov^er cost, (5) No corrosive action. Dis- 

 advantages - (1) Less soluble, (2) Fire hazard, (o) Slight^toxic to animals, 

 (4) Slow breakdown in soil. 



It should be remembered that neither of these materials is 

 selective. They v/ill ^111 practically all vegetation with which they come 

 in contact. 



The relative costs of those materials is as follows: 



Price lbs. per gal. Gal, per Cost 



per lb. of spray 100 sq, ft, per A, 



Ammate IBjl! 3/4 1 ^58,81 



Atlacide 9,5/ 1 l/4 1 51.84 



Although the per acre cost of these materials is high, their 

 effectiveness and the ease and rapidity v/ith which the spray can be applied 

 seems to justify their use, Vfhere it is desired to keep v;itch grass av.-ay 

 from young trees, it could be eliminated with one of rhese spraj'-s and then 

 kept down by mulching. This v.'>>uld reduce the cost over a period of years, 



J, S. Bailey 



Strawberry Field Day 

 University of Llasaachusctts 

 Ajriierst 

 June 13, 1947 



