PLUMS AND CHERRIES 185 



wet weather. And remember, too, that a spray 

 applied just before a rain is quite as valuable 

 if not more so than one applied after the rain. 

 We have so often heard the expression — "Too 

 bad, but the rain washed off all the spray and 

 now it will have to be done over again." Rain 

 does not wash off all of a properly applied and 

 properly mixed spray solution. Consequently 

 if we can protect our trees before the wet 

 weather arrives, they stand just that much bet- 

 ter chance of resisting the attacks of the fun- 

 gous diseases. 



The best spray for either plums or peaches 

 is the self -boiled rime sulphur solution, but it is 

 so much trouble to prepare that many growers 

 have been using commercial lime sulphur 

 diluted at the rate of one to fifty. In some 

 cases it is probable that this would injure the 

 foliage of Japanese plums, but it appears to be 

 safe on other kinds and all cherries. To each 

 fifty gallons of spray is added one and one-half 

 pounds of powdered arsenate of lead for the 

 benefit of the curculio and any incidental leaf 

 eaters that might happen to take a fancy to 

 the foliage or fruit. 



Later summer sprays are always advisable 

 for both plums and cherries because the leaf 

 spot (shot-hole) fungus frequently causes mid- 

 summer damage. Consequently the best cherry- 

 growers apply a spray shortly after the crop is 



