STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57 



If we take a barrel holding just fifty gallons, dissolve fifty 

 pounds of copper sulphate in this barrel and then fill with water, 

 we shall have a solution each gallon of which contains one pound 

 of the copper salt. 



(It can readily be seen that the amount of water displaced by 

 fifty pounds of copper sulphate is of considerable importance, 

 hence the water should be brought to the required mark after dis- 

 solving the copper. ) 



In the same manner a stock preparation of lime may be employed 

 as suggested by Mr. Swingle : ''A barrel is taken, the capacity of 

 which has previously been carefully determined, and twice as many 

 pounds of stone lime are placed in it as it holds gallons. The 

 lime is then slaked. If the slaking has been properly done the 

 milk of lime will fill two-thirds to three-fourths of the space ; then 

 water is added to bring the milk of lime up to the mark. After 

 stirring thoroughly a gallon will contain the equivalent of two 

 pounds of fresh lime." It is of course very important that the 

 mixture be stirred thoroughly each time a quantity is dipped out, 

 as a gallon of clear lime water will contain only about one-sixth 

 ounce of lime instead of two pounds. 



Having the stock solutions, as described, it is a very simple 

 matter when spraying to take six gallons of the copper sulphate 

 solution, two gallons of the milk of lime and dilute to fifty gallons. 

 The mixture should be very thoroughly stirred with a paddle before 

 using. 



The stock solutions may be kept for several days or even weeks 

 if carefully covered and in a cool moist place. 



It has been found by some experimenters that the addition of 

 soap to the Bordeaux mixture greatly increases its wetting proper- 

 ties and consequently makes it very much better for spraying such 

 plants as have a waxy coating on leaves or fruit. The quantity of 

 soap suggested is about one-half of the total weight of lime and 

 copper sulphate used, or enough to make the mixture foam well 

 when thoroughly stirred. In the fifty* gallons of mixture described 

 we would use about five pounds of soap. The soap is best pre- 

 pared for use by shaving in thin slices and dissolving in hot water. 

 The very cheapest soaps are as good for this purpose as are the 

 more expensive ones. 



