132 THE AMERICAN APPLE ORCHARD 



changes in the formula for bordeaux mixture have 

 been very few and of a minor nature, showing that 

 it is as nearly perfect as such things can be. The mix- 

 ture is made in various strengths for various pur- 

 poses, but probably the best formula for spraying ap- 

 ple trees is the standard mixture, as follows: 



4 pounds copper sulphate (blue vitriol), 



4 pounds lime, 



50 gallons water. 



To make up the mixture first dissolve the copper 

 sulphate. This process can be very much hastened by 

 using hot water. The usual method, however, is to 

 put the copper sulphate into a gunny sack and hang 

 it on a fork handle in the top of a barrel or tub so it 

 will just barely be immersed in the water. As fast as 

 it dissolves it sinks toward the bottom of the vessel. 

 If only 50 gallons (say one barrel) of mixture are to 

 be made it is well to dissolve the copper sulphate in 

 25 gallons of water. 



The next step is to slake the lime. This should be 

 done by adding a little water at a time, just enough 

 to keep the lime slaking, but not enough to quench 

 the heat generated in the process. When the slaking 

 is finished more water can be added, making the lime 

 into a thick cream. It can then be diluted so as to 

 make 25 gallons or half a barrel of solution, and, if 

 necessary, it should be strained. With good lime, 

 however, the straining can be omitted. 



The two solutions are now ready — the copper sul- 

 phate in one tub or barrel and the lime in another. To 

 make the mixture dip or ])0ur the copper sulphate into 

 the lime, or else pour both solutions at once into a 

 third ])arrcl. In either case the mixture must be 

 stirred vigorously during the pouring. Under no cir- 



