CONFERENCE ON SPRAYING OF FRUIT TREES. 315 



the tree, especially the lower branches or the portion nearest the operator, 

 may be drenched, and the remainder left practically untouched. This no 

 doubt largely depends on the operators ; but unless there is an expert to 

 point out the mistake, spraying is liable to be condemned, simply because 

 the trees have only been half sprayed. 



Now as regards a few spray-fluids in use. 



Bordeaux Mixture. — I take this first because it appears to be generally 

 acknowledged as the mixture above all others to be used against certain 

 very destructive fungi, notably apple and pear scab and brown rot, which 

 are doing an untold amount of damage in this country and rapidly 

 increasing. I have tried this wash many times and know that it is 

 beneficial. At times I have secured first-rate results, but at other times 

 the results have been lamentable — badly scorched foliage and sickly trees 

 for a long period afterwards. Why, I cannot tell you. The strength 

 used is what is commonly called " the normal," and also a slightly weaker 

 strength. The sulphate of copper and lime have been carefully weighed 

 and mixed and the wash kept agitated, and yet great damage has been 

 done. Sometimes this damage does not show for days after. Is it the 

 fault of the lime, the copper, or the operator? There is no expert to 

 inspect and say where the fault lies. 



Liver of sulphur is generally looked upon as a fungicide only, but I 

 have found it in one instance to be an excellent insecticide, viz. against 

 the mealy aphis on plum trees. A solution of soft soap and 12 ounces 

 of liver of sulphur to the 100 gallons will effectually destroy this trouble- 

 some pest. 



Nicotine and Tobacco Washes. — I am inclined to think that these 

 may prove of great service if the cost can be considerably reduced. 

 Nicotine of about 98 per cent, purity is admitted free of duty ; but 

 it is expensive, costing about 10s. per lb. Denatured tobacco is also 

 admitted duty free ; but there is, 1 understand, a good deal of foreign 

 matter in it, and the strength of the tobacco may vary immensely. The 

 importation of tobacco juice is prohibited, though if it were practicable 

 to denature it and admit strong tobacco juice, not containing less than 

 a fixed percentage of nicotine, I think it might be very useful to fruit 

 growers. 



Paraffin and caustic soda are sometimes recommended to be used very 

 strong. I would caution users to try on a small scale first and carefully 

 watch results, bearirjg in mind that damage done by paraffin does not 

 always show quickly. 



Penetration of Washes. — I have observed this year in spraying for 

 Psylla that one wash (McDougall's) appeared to penetrate more than 

 others — i.e. the fluid seemed to have the power of running between the 

 flower buds, whilst other washes remained more on the upper surface or 

 tops of buds. I regard this as worthy of attention. 



Adhesiveness of Washes. — It is desirable with certain washes 

 (Bordeaux mixture and others) that they should remain on the trees as 

 long as possible. If some improvement could be made in this direction 

 it would be a gain. 



Cost of Washes. — It is important to growers that the cost should be 

 kept as low as possible ; hence the necessity of ascertaining the lowest 



