144 JOUKNAL OF THE EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
gallons of water. Then slack in a wooden tub 4 lb. of perfectly fresh 
lime in as small a quantity of water as possible, adding the water little 
by little, never enough to cover the lumps, until slaking has been com- 
pleted, when slowly make up to 4 gallons. When cool, thoroughly stir 
and strain slowly the milk of lime into the copper solution, stirring 
thoroughly while mixing, and for an additional minute or two ; it is then 
ready for use as a winter spray, and is called a 22 -gallon mixture. By 
adding the requisite quantity of water, at the same time observing to keep 
the mixture thoroughly stirred, it can be diluted to a 30-, 50-, or 60- gallon 
mixture for spring and summer use. 
It is important to observe the method of combining the ingredients ; 
also, that the copper should be pure, and that unslaked lime should be 
used, not air- slaked. It is further important to note that in order to 
obtain the best results the mixture should be applied within eight hours 
from the time it is prepared, or at most twenty-two hours, owing to a 
chemical change which takes place. 
In the application of Bordeaux mixture a general line of treatment to 
be recommended is — During winter, or before the buds start in spring, 
spray all the fruit-trees with the 22-gallon strength ; again, just as the 
petals drop, with the 60-gallon mixture. 
If Bordeaux mixture is made and applied as above, it adheres tena- 
ciously to the wood and foliage ; there seems no need for the addition of 
treacle. 
Stock Solution, Bordeaux Mixture. 
Owing to ordinary Bordeaux mixture requiring to be used at least 
within twenty-four hours from the time it is made, stock solutions are 
now prepared, ready for mixing, of both milk of lime and sulphate of 
copper. This is found a great convenience for use in large orchards. 
These stock solutions are prepared as follows : Firstly, by dissolving in 
a barrel 100 lb. of sulphate of copper to 50 gallons of water by exact 
measurement, so that each gallon will hold in solution 2 lb. of copper- 
sulphate ; secondly, a stock solution of milk of lime is prepared by 
dissolving slowly in water 100 lb. of fresh stone lime, to be made up 
to 50 gallons, so that each gallon of the solution will contain 2 lb. of 
lime. This solution of milk of lime, if kept airtight, will remain fit 
for use for several days. After about the fifth day it would be better to 
make fresh. 
In preparing Bordeaux mixture from the stock preparation — First, 
take 3 gallons from the stock solution of sulphate of copper, and add to 
17 gallons of water in a barrel. Second, from the stock solution of milk 
of lime, aftei' thoroughly stirring, take 2 gallons, more or less, and pour 
slowly into the sulphate-of-copper solution placed in the barrel, all the 
time stirring and carefully watching the colour ; when a clear sky-blue 
colour shows, immediately stop adding the milk of lime : it is then ready 
for use. The foregoing may be considered a 22-gallon formula. For a 
30-gallon formula add additional 8 gallons of water ; or, for a 60-gallon 
formula, add 38 gallons of water, stirring thoroughly all the time. 
