36 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



As to parasites for the San Jose scale we have none here. They 

 appear to be efficient in the latitude of Washington but have not 

 been as yet introduced here. 



R. W. Curtis asked the lecturer if he had had any experience in 

 spraying with a soluble oil. 



Prof. Sears said that it had been used in some places but was not 

 usually as satisfactory as the lime and sulphur. The ad\'isability 

 of using a soluble oil depended a good deal upon local conditions. 

 It would be very desirable to use it on account of the convenience 

 of handling but it was not as effective as the lime and sulphur 

 preparation. 



INIr. Doherty enquired as to the relative merits of Kainit and 

 sulphate of potash. 



Prof. Sears answered that Kainit was not a form desirable to use 

 on account of the low percentage of actual potash. "While it ap- 

 peared to be cheaper than sulphate of potash it really cost more. 



The question was asked if the Delicious apple grown in the 

 Ozarks was desirable to grow here. 



Prof. Sears replied that on general principles it was not, as it had 

 not been tried here and western apples often do not do well in the 

 East. 



E. O. Orpet remarked that the San Jose scale was the worst 

 element ever experienced in New England orcharding and many 

 trees had been killed by it. He said that it was necessary now to 

 spray everything in order to get any results. 



John W. Duncan said that it was rare to find an orchard in Xew 

 England in good condition and when one was seen it would be found 

 that it had been sprayed. One spraying during the winter was 

 sufficient to keep down the San Jose scale. 



William N. Craig spoke favorably of Scalecide which he had used 

 successfully in keeping down the scale insect. 



Wm. H. Spooner recommended the Wagener apple which he 

 had found a first-class fruit and a good keeper. He asked the lec- 

 turer if it paid to thin fruit. 



Prof. Sears replied that ordinarily it does not pay with apples 

 and if the trees are pruned properly it is not necessary. In the 

 ordinary run of commercial growing it is not recommended on 

 account of the extra expense of labor. Peaches and plums, how- 

 ever, should be thinned. 



