SPRAYING 237 



Concentrated lime-sulphur, homemade. The same material can 

 be made at home much more cheaply if the number of trees war- 

 rants purchasing the material in quantity. For small orchards — 

 up to 200 trees — it is probably better to buy it, as the making 

 is somewhat disagreeable and requires some experience. 



A formula giving good results is 40 pounds lime, 80 pounds 

 sulphur, and 50 gallons water. Other formulas that can be used 

 are 50 pounds lime, 100 pounds sulphur, and 50 gallons water, 

 or 55 pounds lime, 1 10 pounds sulphur, and 60 gallons water. 



If live steam is available, it is possible to make the lime-sulphur 

 in a wooden tank at a very small cost. Where steam is not avail- 

 able a kettle with a capacity of from 25 to 50 gallons is generally 

 used. 



Put about 10 gallons in the kettle and heat ; add the lime, and 

 after it has started to slake in good shape, add the dry sulphur 

 and mix thoroughly. When the mixture is through slaking, add 

 water enough to make 50 gallons and boil for- about an hour. 

 More water will have to be added from time to time as it boils 

 away, so as to keep the mixture at the 50-gallon mark, and more 

 or less stirring will be necessary while the cooking is going on. 

 After it is cooked, the mixture should stand long enough to allow 

 the sediment to settle to the bottom ; then the clear solution should 

 be dipped out and strained into a tight barrel. When it is cool 

 the Baume reading should "be taken and marked on the barrel. 

 If the reading is taken while the solution is warm, it may not 

 register the actual strength. The barrel should be closed tightly 

 as soon as possible, and should be stored in a place not subject 

 to very low temperature. It is not advisable to keep it in storage 

 a long time, for it is better when used immediately. 



The principal difficulty is to obtain a mixture of high density 

 having a small amount of sediment. The sediment may vary from 

 2 to 30 pounds, the density from 31 to 24 degrees Baume. Clean 

 lime freshly burned and guaranteed at least 90 per cent calcium 

 oxide aids greatly in reducing the amount of sediment, and this 

 the grower should always demand. The cost of the homemade 

 mixture will vary from S3. 00 to S5.00 per barrel according to the 

 cost of the materials, the manner of making, and the density 

 obtained. The cost of the sulphur will be from 2 to 4 cents per 



