-6-. 



IS CAFTAN THREE TUvIES AS GOOD AS SULFUR? 



Gaptan arid sulfur appear to represent two extreiiies in costS' among several 

 fungicides used by apple grov/ers, ^/hen substituted for sulfur in a spray program for 

 a particular apple orchard, Gaptan may cost three times as much as sulfur, Betiveen 

 these extremes in cost are other fungicides v/hich may be substituted either in whole 

 or in part. These cost variations in fungicides lead to several questions. How many 

 growers have figured on the possible variation in their cost with the use of different 

 fungicides? What are the added benefits, if any, of the higher cost materials? Do 

 they more than offset the added cost? 



Costs of fungicides vary greatly, on a pound basis, but vary in a different 

 ordor when prepared in full strength spray mixtures. Table I indicates this variation, 

 Ferbam costs less on a pound basis than Phygon, but costs eighteen and one half cents 

 mere per 100 ga].lons when in a full strength mixtui-e, Gaptan on a per unit basis is 

 less in price than Phygon, or phenyl mercuries j on a full strength basis it is the 

 most expensive matez-ial. 



Price Per Unit and Full Strength Cost of Six Fungicidal Spray Materials 



mBLE. I 



Material Full Ptrenght Price Per Unit'fr Cost per 100 gal. fuH strengt h 



sulfur 6 lbs. $ ,07 lb, $ .ii2 



Phygon 1/2 lb. I,h0 lb, .70 



Crag 1 qt. .73 qt, .885 



ferbam 1-1/2 lbs, .59: lb. 1,38 



phenyl mercury 1 pt, 1.38 pt, 1.38 



(lactate) 

 captan 2 lbs. ,80 lb, 1.60 

 -;;-Price5 used are average prices of our leading companies in 1953 



The use of certain fungicidal materials, either separately or in combination 

 are recommended in the 1953 Pest Control Schedule for Apples published by the Univ- 

 ersity of Massachusetts. A survey of growers indicates a great variety of combina- 

 tions in use. All combinations shoifm in Table II have been checked by University 

 production specialists as giving effective control. 



A desirable way to compare the costs of materials in these various programs 

 is to consider their application on a particular farm. For this analysis a fruit 

 fanii with 1300 trees on 1|8 acres has been chosen. The trees were planted kO x hO 

 feet, thirty years ago. They are well pruned for adequate spray coverage and good 

 fruit color. Under twenty feet in height, they are sprayed -from or^e sidetof a Bean 

 Speed Sprayer. The block is predominately Mcintosh m.th some Delicious and Graven- 

 steins, 



The first seven sprays used in each program are at full strength. For the 



additional four hot weather sprays at reduced strength. Crag or ferbam or captan may 



be used, A grower may select one of these recommended materials over the others. 

 Crap costs $350. UO fo'rthe four reduced strength summer spr^s, Ferbam costs $377.60 



or $27,20 more than Crag, Captan costs $512.00 or $l6l.60 more than Crag and :^13i4.U0 



more than ferbam for these four reduced strength summer sprays. Tlie last column in 

 Table II gives the total material cost for all eleven sprays. 



Total annual costs for these different fungicidal combinations on this farm 

 could vary from $770,UO to $2,112,00, a range of $l,3i|1.60. Per tree costs could 

 vary from $,59 to $1.62, per acre costs from $l6.06 to ihh»00 and per busnel costs 

 Trom $.033 to $.090, if the assumed average production is U86 bushels per acre of 



