ABSTRACTS. 



351 



important details, and illustrations of apparatus are to be found by those 

 interested in the subject. It is impossible in a short space to do justice 

 to the articles, but each one will be dealt with briefly. 



Directions and Formula. 

 This paper, prepared under the direction of the chief in horticulture 

 of the State of Illinois, explains five points which must be kept in view for 

 successful spraying : — (1) Pure materials ; (2) proper preparation of 

 mixtures ; (3) proper method of application ; (4) time of application ; 

 (5) good judgment. Paris green is regarded as the most important 

 insecticide for destroying chewing insects, and it should be a dry and 

 wholly impalpable powder of a bright light emerald-green colour. 

 Bordeaux mixture being a complex and insoluble compound of lime and 

 copper suspended in water, care must be taken to get the proper combina- 

 tion as regards quantities especially. An excess of uncombined copper 

 sulphate is very injurious to the foliage. The author recommends it 

 being tested before use. Upon this point the author has given careful 

 and elaborate tables referring to some dozen mixtures. As to the 

 application considerable pressure and a fine nozzle should be used, held 

 a short distance away from the leaves and fruit ; just sufficient to cover 

 with fine " dew drops " and no more should be applied. As to the time 

 of application this depends upon the tree to be treated, and reference 

 should be made to the list given ; but the chief point to bear in mind 

 seems to be to spray in time ; a very few days' delay may mean ruin. 

 Insecticides of course act in two ways : (a) As a poison to be eaten along 

 with the plant ; (b) by contact with the insect. Fungicides also act in 

 two ways : (a) by contact with mycelium ; (b) by destroying the 

 germinating tube of the fungus before it penetrates the skin. 



Spraying for Bitter Rot. 



This paper is the result of experiments which have been made by 

 Professor Blair to determine various questions. A good illustration is 

 given of a convenient spraying outfit being used in an orchard. The 

 spraying should take place early in June. Bordeaux mixture having the 

 undesirable effect of staining the fruit, ammoniacal carbonate of copper is 

 recommended, and its composition and preparation are carefully described. 

 The spray should be fine and misty until the fruit is entirely covered, but 

 in no case make such a heavy application that the liquid runs off, thus 

 leaving many places unprotected. 



Experience with the Dust Spray. 



The dust spray has the advantage of being less expensive than a 

 liquid one, for it is easier prepared and quickly applied. Another 

 advantage is that the same care need not be used in using the exact 

 proportions and in the mixing, for with the dust spray the same mixture 

 can be used for Apple, Peach, Plum, and all other fruit trees and bushes. 

 The machine is always ready for business and does not require an expert 

 to keep it going. As a result of actual experiments it would seem that 

 the method was successful with winesaps and the blooms and fruit of 

 Apple and Peach trees generally, and the foliage was in no case injured, 



