Established Fruit Trees 



and which drives the lime into the crevices in the 

 bark. The following mixture is very useful : 



Formula : Quicklime, 3 to 6 Ibs. ; flowers of 

 sulphur, 3 Ibs. ; salt, 3 Ibs. ; caustic soda, i Ib. ; 

 water, 10 gallons. 



Preparation : Mix the soda and lime together 

 and slake with some hot water to which the sulphur 

 has been added, then add extra water to make 

 10 gallons. 



The amount of caustic soda may be increased up 

 to 2 Ibs. for old trees which are very dirty. 



An alternative mixture, and one which is much 

 used by large fruit growers, is the Woburn wash. 

 This should be made as follows : Dissolve ij Ibs. 

 of copper sulphate in about 9 gallons of water, 

 using a wooden tub. Slake about i Ib. of lime 

 in a bucket and add this to the solution in the 

 tub through a fine sieve or piece of sacking, then add 

 5 pints of paraffin, beating the mixture well to- 

 gether ; finally add from i to 2 Ibs. of caustic soda 

 and more water to make 10 gallons. 



Either of the above mixtures will reduce the num- 

 ber of pests and prevent the spread of diseases. 



The pests are in their weakest state in early spring ; 

 the eggs especially can only be destroyed at that 

 time of year, when they are about to hatch, and for 

 this reason we leave the " winter " spraying as late 

 as we dare. As soon as the buds burst, spraying 

 with caustic soda washes must cease. Choose a 

 calm, fine day for the operation, and take care that 

 the mixture does not get on the hands, face, or 

 clothes. Mid-February is usually the most suitable 

 time. 



37 



