NINTH ANNUAL MEETING. 83 



fore, if we spray just after the blossoms fall, while the fruit 

 stands uprio^ht, the poison will be collected in the cup at the 

 blossom end and is likely to be retained there for a long 

 time, and is pretty sure to be fatal to the worm before he 

 enters the apple. This period, when the apple is in this 

 position with the petals open, may be longer or shorter, 

 according' to the season, and varies with different varieties. 

 It will readily be seen that each must watch his own orchard 

 and the different varieties therein to know the [jroper time 

 to apply the poison to get the most benefit. There is a 

 notion that the tree can be sprayed when in full blossom; 

 from the above it should be evident how false is this theory; 

 nothing certainly can be gained and much lost by spraying 

 at this time, in addition to which it will poison the bees, 

 which are so necessary for proper pollen distribution. No 

 man has any more right to destroy his neighbors bees than 

 his cattle. Instances are on record of the bees carrying 

 the poison into the hives. Do not think for a moment that 

 I think spraying an easy job; there is nothing connected 

 with fruit growing that I dislike so much. When I reach 

 the end of the spraying season, and put away the sprayer, 

 I always feel like singing a "Glory Hallelujah." It is not 

 an easy thing to do, but it pays; that is what we grow fruit 

 for; we want profit as well as fun. 



Question: How many times, and when, do you spray 

 your apple trees? 



Answer: Usually three times. First, just as the foli- 

 age starts, using Bordeaux and Paris Green; I find this 

 just as good as to spray prior to that time. Then after 

 blossoms fall, as noted before; and usually once more 

 about two weeks later, using Bordeaux and Paris Green 

 each time. Last 3^ear I did not spray but twice. It was a 

 dry season, and the spray was retained on the trees, having 

 little rain to wash it off. I have Bordeaux Mixture on my 

 trees now [February] that was put on last May. Then, 

 too, we had little weather to develop fungi. Some years it 

 may be necessary to spray four or five times. I use with the 

 Bordeaux Mixture one-half of Green or poison to fifty gal- 

 lons of water; that is, for apples and pears. With a good 



