Circular No. 39 (Revision of No. 31). February, 19 14. 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTORAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



amhp:rst. 



LIME AND SULFUR SOLUTIONS. - 



Bv G. E. Stone. 



Lime and sulfur iias been used for man)- years in various forms 

 and for different purposes, although it is only comparatively recently 

 that its value as a fungicide has been realized. The extensive use of 

 this solution as a spray for the San Jose scale has incidentally dem- 

 onstrated its great value as a fungicide. Our observations and ex- 

 periments with the use of lime and sulfur when applied to trees in a 

 dormant condition have convinced us that no preparation which has 

 ever been used can be compared with it for efficiency in controlling 

 different fungi. For many years lime and sulfur has been largely 

 used as a spray for fruit trees in a dormant condition, but of late it 

 has also been used in various modified forms as a summer spray with 

 very encouraging results. Many trials have been made of the diluted 

 concentrated preparations, and also of what is known as the " self- 

 boiled lime and sulfur," but the methods are in a more or less ex- 

 perimental stage.* 



Lime and sulfur used as a spray on trees in a dormant condition is 

 a positive preventive of peach leaf curl and Monilia and Cladosporium 

 infection on peach twigs. Its use holds in check the leaf spots of the 

 apple, pear, plum, quince and other fruit trees and shrubs. We also 

 believe that it has a material effect on cankers, black knot and other 

 common twig diseases. So effective is this treatment for leaf spots 

 that in many cases after only one spraying not a single spot could be 

 found on the foliage of fruit trees during any part of the season. 



Self-Boiled Lime and Sulfur Mixture. 



For some purposes, especially summer spraying, self-boiled lime 

 and sulfur mixtures are useful. One of the best rules is the foUow- 



* The diluted lime and sulfur has not proved equal to Bordeau.x for spraying potatoes. 

 —Geneva Agri. Exp. Station (N. Y.), bul. 347, F. C. Stewart and G. T. French, 



