12 MAINS AGRICUIvTURAL EXPERIME;nT STATION. I909. 



DISCUSSION 01^ RESUI.TS. 



Obviously it would be unwise to draw very definite conclu- 

 sions from the limited data provided above. However, taken 

 in connection with the results obtained by Scott in treating bitter 

 rot and leaf spot of the apple, it seems safe to conclude that 

 self-boiled lime sulphur mixture has considerable value as a pre- 

 ventive of apple scab. It is at least promising enough so that 

 any orchardist who has trouble with bordeaux injury would do 

 well to give the lime-sulphur treatment a thorough trial.* From 

 the comparison of single trees the lime-sulphur mixture pre- 

 pared with hot water was twice as effective as that prepared 

 with cold water, the former approaching bordeaux mixture in 

 efficiency. Attention should be called to the fact that the per- 

 centage of scab free apples was low in all cases — even with the 

 bordeaux mixture much below the average. In that respect the 

 experiment was disappointing. Doubtless a 5-5-50 bordeaux 

 would have produced better results. The large amount of 

 scabby apples, 99%, on the unsprayed trees, indicates that the 

 fungus was very prevalent in the orchard. If the trees had been 

 given two extra sprayings — one early in the spring before the 

 buds started and another about June 20 — much better results 

 might have been obtained. 



Weather Records in Relation to Winter Injury oe Fruit 



Trees. 



It is well known that there is a wide variation in the ability 

 of various plants to withstand low temperatures. Certain tropi- 

 cal plants have been known to die of cold at temperatures of 

 from +35° F. to +45° ^■■: while some arctic plants have been 

 known to withstand cold to the extent of — 76° F. With fruit 

 trees, particularly apples, we know that there is also consider- 

 able variation in hardiness in different varieties of the same 

 species. It is admitted that such factors as the condition of the 



* Sulphur can be purchased of wholesale druggists in Bangor for 5c. 

 per pound in 25 pound lots and 4c. per pound in 100 pound lots, there- 

 fore aside from the extra labor involved in preparation self-boiled lime 

 sulphur mixture should cost but little more if any than bordeaux mix- 

 ture. 



