SPRAYING FRUIT TREES, 341 



obviates the need of spring and summer work. This 

 operation is not needed every winter; it is enough if it 

 be well done every two or three years. 



The mere removal of lichen and moss from old trees 

 can be effected by spraying with a very simple wash- 

 viz., 2|lb. of caustic soda (98 per cent, purity) dissolved 

 in 10 gallons of water. But a better wash for general 

 winter spraying is what is known as the Woburn wash, 

 the outcome of the investigations of Mr. Spencer U. 

 Pickering at the Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm. The 

 ingredients are as follows : Iron sulphate, |lb. ; quick- 

 lime, |lb. ; paraffin v 5 pints; water, gf gallons; caustic 

 soda, 2lb. To prepare the wash, the iron sulphate is dis- 

 solved in about 9 gallons of water. The lime is then 

 slaked in a little water and well stirred, a little more water 

 being added to make a "milk." The milk of lime is 

 next run into the iron sulphate solution through a piece 

 of sacking or a fine sieve, to remove grit or coarse par- 

 ticles. The paraffin is then added, and the mixture 

 churned thoroughly with the spraying syringe, repeatedly 

 drawing some up and forcibly ejecting it into the rest of 

 the solution until a complete emulsion is obtained. Just 

 before using, the caustic soda in the powdered form is 

 added to complete the wash. 



Another winter wash that can be recommended is the 

 lime-and-sulphur. Not only is it both an insecticide and 

 a fungicide, but it also checks birds from eating fruit 

 buds if used shortly before they open. Lime-sulphur is 

 cheap, and can be bought in concentrated liquid form from 

 several makers (sometimes under fancy names), requiring 

 only to be diluted with water. Note that the makers give 

 directions for mixing both for winter and summer use. 

 For the former three quarts to ten gallons of water is 

 commonly recommended, but the maker's instructions 

 should be followed. We have tried the "self-boiled" 

 formula often given, and have made and used hundreds 

 of gallons of home-boiled wash made in an iron " copper," 

 but we have no hesitation in advising the purchase of the 

 factory-boiled concentrated solution, for it is strongest 



