i9io.] 



Bordeaux Mixture. 



797 



of-lime," and the same amount of copper sulphate "stock solu- 

 tion " (or four gallons only if this has been made of the 

 strength of 2 lb. of copper sulphate to the gallon of water) are 

 carried up to the upper platform, and poured separately into 

 the two "dilution barrels," which are then filled with water 

 up to the 50-gallon mark. The 50 gallons of "milk-of-lime " 

 thus obtained in one of the barrels are stirred vigorously for 

 a couple of minutes. A strainer is now placed over the vat, 

 in such a position as to allow the hose from the taps of the 

 "dilution barrels " to project into it. The taps of the "dilution 

 barrels " are now turned on, and — the contents of the barrel 

 containing the lime being stirred continuously — the two 50- 

 gallon barrels empty themselves through the strainer into the 

 vat, filling it with 100 gallons of Bordeaux mixture. (See 

 Fir. 1.) The whole process can be easily controlled by one 

 man standing on the higher platform, as with his stirring-pole 

 he can reach the taps and so regulate the flow if necessary, 

 and also stir and clear the strainer should this become 

 clogged.* The Bordeaux mixture is immediately ready for 

 use, and can be run off from the tap of the vat into the spray- 

 ing machine. Thus all the labour and waste of time in hand- 

 ling the mixture are saved; and, given some such "plant," 

 as is shown in the illustration, and "stock solutions," too 

 gallons of Bordeaux mixture can be prepared in a few minutes 

 at any time during the spraying season. It is of the greatest 

 importance ior a fruit-grower to have the means of obtaining 

 the proper "wash " directly the right period of vegetation and 

 suitable weather conditions arrive, — spraying at the right 

 time is just as important as spraying with the right "wash." 



Good straining of Bordeaux mixture is essential for success 

 in spraying, since, as pointed out below, it is absolutely 

 necessary to use a nozzle with a very fine opening. It is best 

 to strain the mixture twice, in the following manner : — First, 

 a strainer with meshes of medium fineness should be placed 

 over the vat (see Fig. 1). Then a second straining must be 



* In the actual "plant " shown in Fig. I the top platform is higher than it need 

 be to allow of the contents of the "dilution barrels " running into the vat. This 

 extra height was fixed upon in order to allow at any time of a 50-gallon barrel being 

 placed on the lower platform, when lesser quantities of any mixture made for 

 experimental purposes can be run into it from smaller "dilution barrels" placed 

 on the upper platform. 



