1892 
397 
THE  RURAL  NEW-YORKER. 
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Bordeaux  Mixture  and  Hudson 
River  Grapes. 
When  those  clowns  of  the  New  York  Board  of 
Health  destroyed  good  grapes  because  they  had  been 
sprayed  with  Bordeaux  mixture,  prices  dropped  at 
once  and  the  market  was  seriously  hurt.  It  was  then 
predicted  that  grape  growers  along  the  Hudson  River 
would  give  up  the  use  of  the  mixture  rather  than  run 
the  risk  of  further  trouble.  'We  sent  the  following 
questions  to  representative  growers  in  this  district : 
As  a  consequence  of  the  action  of  the  New  York  Board  of 
Health  in  the  case  of  grape  growers  who  use  the  Bordeaux 
mixture  as  freely  as  last  year,  will  they  use  less  copper  in 
the  mixture  and  will  they  avoid  spraying  late  in  the  season  ? 
It  is  my  opinion  that  fruit  growers  will  not  use  as 
much  of  the  Bordeaux  mixture  this  year  as  last.  They 
will  nearly  all  spray  their  grapes,  but  will  use  less 
copper  in  the  mixture,  and  will  not  spray  so  late  in  the 
season.  N.  barns. 
The  Bordeaux  mixture  will  be  used  as  freely,  but 
more  carefully.  The  value  of  spraying  with  fungicides 
is  so  thoroughly  established  that  very  few  intelligent 
growers  would  risk  the  losses  that  are  quite  certain  to 
be  met  with  without  it.  The  important  question  for 
growers  is  to  understand  when  and  how  long  to  spray 
their  vineyards.  While  the  Bordeaux  mixture  is  effec¬ 
tive,  it  can  be  dispensed  with  entirely,  as  the  ammon- 
iacal  copper  solution  is  quite  as  good  and  can  be  applied 
with  no  evidence  of  its  use  upon  the  fruit,  as  it  is 
easily  washed  off  by  showers  if  applied  late.  Late 
spraying,  however,  is  of  little  value.  The  most  effec¬ 
tive  results  are  obtained  by  the  early  spraying  even 
before  foliage  or  fruit  appears,  and  then  a  few  times 
afterwards.  This  is  being  understood,  hence  more 
spraying  will  be  done  the  coming  season  than  at  any 
previous  time.  Without  doubt  more  material  than 
necessary  has  been  used.  Less  copper  will  be  used  in 
the  mixtures  the  coming  season,  not  because  there 
has  been  any  danger  to  the  consumers  of  grapes,  but 
because  weaker  solutions  will  be  quite  as  effective  in 
destroying  fungous  growths,  and  will  also  be  less 
injurious  to  the  foliage  of  plants.  In  the  use  of  all 
new  discoveries,  some  mistakes  have  been  made,  and 
from  these  often  the  most  valuable  lessons  have  been 
learned.  The  coming  season  will  add  a  very  large  ex¬ 
perience  in  the  use  of  fungicides  and  insecticides,  and 
correct  knowledge  will  add  millions  of  dollars  to  the 
profits  of  fruit  growers.  geo.  t.  POWELL. 
My  impression  is  that  the  Hudson  River  fruit-grow¬ 
ers  will  use  the  Bordeaux  mixture  upon  grapes  about 
as  freely  as  ever  this  season.  In  fact  the  spraying  has 
already  begun  in  many  vineyards.  These  progressive 
growers  are  not  easily  scared.  When  a  crisis  like  that 
precipitated  by  the  New  York  Board  of  Health  last 
fall  arises,  they  just  stop  long  enough  to  think  a  little 
and  then  go  ahead  again  with  renewed  vigor.  That 
august  and  scientific  body  which  is  supposed  to  govern 
the  hygienic  destinies  of  the  people  in  the  wicked 
Metropolis  simply  made  a  fool  of  itself  when  it  de¬ 
stroyed  the  product  of  these  industrious  and  hard¬ 
working  men  and  women.  That  has  been  clearly 
demonstrated  by  the  best  authority;  and  now  it  is 
difficult  to  understand  why  its  individual  members,  or 
those  who  are  responsible  for  their  official  action  and 
mental  acumen  should  not  pay  the  damages.  It  is 
possible  that  less  copper  will  be  used  in  the  solution 
this  year  than  before.  In  fact  this  can  be  done  with¬ 
out  impairing  any  of  the  good  results,  and  this  is  also 
true  of  the  various  arsenical  solutions. 
Many  will  doubtless  stop  spraying  earlier  than 
usual.  This  is  the  talk  now.  Surely  there  is  not  the 
least  desire  to  poison  a  single  member  of  the  vast 
grape-eating  army  in  New  York  or  elsewhere,  nor  is 
there  a  shadow  of  danger  of  any  such  thing.  These 
minor  fruit-growers  are  working  night  and  day  to 
tickle  the  palates  and  sharpen  the  appetites  of  their 
city  fruit  consumers  and  patrons.  Place  the  censure 
where  it  belongs.  H.  hendricks. 
The  destruction  of  those  grapes  last  fall  will  have 
little  effect  on  growers  in  the  use  of  the  Bordeaux 
mixture.  Such  action  was  considered  unjustifiable, 
and  it  has  been  sufficiently  demonstrated  that  it  would 
require  the  consumption  of  an  impossible  quantity  of 
grapes  sprayed  with  the  mixture  to  seriously  affect 
the  consumer,  and  as  most  growers  are  this  spring 
spraying  with  the  new  (diluted)  formula  recommended 
by  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  the  danger,  if  any, 
will  be  reduced  to  a  minimum.  The  mixture  will  prob¬ 
ably  be  used  as  freely  as  it  was  last  year,  but  more 
care  will  be  used  in  its  preparation,  and  there 
will  be  more  accurate  methods  and  greater  painstaking 
in  its  application,  especially  by  those  who  were  not 
over-careful  last  year.  The  importance  of  changing 
the  mixture  in  the  last  sprayings  for  the  ammoniacal 
solution  is  so  well  understood  along  the  Hudson  as  to 
compel  the  conclusion  that  the  late  sprayings  will  not 
be  made  so  late  as  last  year,  nor  will  so  much  copper 
be  used.  The  unwarranted  action  of  the  Board  of 
Health,  together  with  the  crusade  of  the  Grocers’  As¬ 
sociation  against  return  fruit  packages,  may  result  in 
a  diversion  of  shipments  to  other  markets,  so  that  its 
action  may  prove  a  boomerang  to  the  association  and 
a  detriment  to  consumers  generally  in  New  York. 
With -our  present  generous  and  open  avenues  of  in¬ 
formation,  furnished  by  the  independent  agricultural 
press,  farmers’  institutes,  the  Department  of  Agricul¬ 
ture,  experiment  stations’  bulletins,  etc.,  it  is  quite 
impossible  for  intelligent  growers  to  get  far  astray  or 
to  decline  to  a  condition  of  dependence  upon  any  par¬ 
ticular  market  or  the  manipulations  of  any  body  of 
men.  The  New  York  dealers  now  see  this,  and  while 
they  vociferate  loudly  for  “  free  packages,”  (which 
will  come  gradually  and  without  force  or  strain)  they 
gently  whisper  that  they  are  able  to  handle  return 
packages  quite  as  well  as  gifts,  for  most  fruits. 
WARD  D.  GUNN. 
Why  Use  Lime  with  Copper  P 
B.  B.+Farmingdale,  III. — I  feel  pretty  certain  that, 
by  the  addition  of  lime  to  a  solution  of  sulphate  of 
copper,  sulphate  of  iron,  or  arsenic  in  any  of  the 
forms  in  which  it  is  used  for  spraying  purposes,  the 
caustic  or  burning  properties  are  eliminated  ;  but  how 
does  this  come  about?  Just  what  is  the  chemical 
change  that  takes  place  ?  Is  the  strength  of  the 
arsenic,  etc.,  impaired,  and  would  it  be  just  as  well  to 
reduce  until  the  leaves  are  not  scorched  as  to  use  a 
stronger  solxition  and  put  in  lime  ?  In  using  copperas 
(so  far  as  I  am  aware)  no  caution  has  been  given  as 
to  injury  to  the  plants — even  a  50  per  cent  solution  has 
been  advised — and  yet  I  have  injured  my  vines  and 
and  trees  more  by  using  copperas  than  all  the  other 
fungicides  and  insecticides  combined.  Add  lime  and 
it  is  harmless  so  far  as  I  can  see. 
A  ns. — Sulphate  of  copper  has  a  decided  acid  reaction, 
and  is  extremely  poisonous  to  vegetation  of  all  kinds. 
A  moderately  strong  solution  of  it  is  used  in  the  winter 
treatment  of  trees  for  certain  diseases.  The  addition 
of  lime  to  a  solution  of  copper  sulphate  decomposes  it. 
Hence  the  Bordeaux  mixture  contains  no  sixlphate  of 
copper,  but  in  its  place  sulphate  of  lime  (land  plaster), 
copper  hydi’ate  and  an  excess  of  lime.  This  copper 
hydrate  is  much  less  poisonous  than  the  sulphate.  It 
never  damages  foliage,  but  it  certainly  prevents  the 
spores  of  fungi  (and  pollen  grains  as  well)  from  germi¬ 
nating.  The  question  is  asked,  why  not  use  a  very 
weak  solution  of  copper  sulphate  for  spraying,  instead 
of  adding  lime  to  a  stronger  solution,  so  making  Bor¬ 
deaux  mixture  of  it  ?  Because  the  alkaline  mixture  of 
lime  and  copper  is  insoluble  in  water  and  adheres  to 
the  foliage  most  persistently  even  in  heavy  storms, 
while  it  is  believed  that  a  solution  of  copper  sulphate 
would  be  quickly  washed  off  in  rain,  leaving  the  foli¬ 
age  unprotected.  Experiments  are  in  progress  to  test 
this  point,  but  the  substitution  of  a  weak  copper  solu¬ 
tion  for  the  Bordeaux  mixture  cannot  yet  be  recom¬ 
mended.  Copperas  or  sulphate  of  iron  is  another  caus¬ 
tic,  astringent  thing  that  certainly  requires  caution  in 
its  use.  The  action  of  lime  on  its  solution  would  be 
similar  to  the  action  of  lime  on  sulphate  of  copper. 
There  would  be  left  in  the  solution  no  sulphate  of  iron, 
but  in  its  place  land  plaster,  hydrated  protoxide  of  iron 
and  an  excess  of  lime.  Whether  this  hydrated  oxide  of 
iron  will  have  the  same  fungicide  effect  as  the  sulphate 
has  not  been  learned,  so  far  as  I  know.  Probably 
preparations  of  arsenic  and  iron  with  lime  will  not 
adhere  to  foliage  as  persistently  as  the  corx-esponding 
copper  salts. 
The  general  tendency  is  to  use  these  fungicides  and 
insecticides  in  more  dilute  solution  than  formerly. 
Thus  the  poisoning  of  foliage  is  avoided,  while  the 
weaker  solutions  have  proved  perfectly  efficient  as 
fungicides.  It  needs  to  be  emphasized  that  sulphate 
of  iron,  as  well  as  sulphate  of  copper,  is  very  poisonous 
to  vegetation.  dr.  e.  h.  jenkins. 
Paris-g-reen  and  the  Bordeaux  Mixture. 
W.  J.  S.,  Albion,  N.  Y. — I  see  it  is  recommended  in 
spraying  potato  vines,  to  mix  the  Bordeaux  mixture 
with  the  Paris-green  solution,  as  the  lime  will  prevent 
injury  to  the  leaves  from  the  arsenic.  If  so,  why  would 
not  lime  be  a  valuable  addition  in  using  Pai’is-green 
or  London-purple,  and  what  quantity  should  be  used  ? 
Ans. — The  use  of  lime  is  now  quite  generally  rec¬ 
ommended  with  London-purple  because  more  or  less 
of  the  arsenic  in  that  substance  is  soluble  in  water  and 
will  scorch  the  leaves  when  used  alone.  Lime  is  not 
needed  with  Paris-green.  That  makes  a  simple  water 
mixture,  it  does  not  dissolve.  The  reason  why  lime  is 
needed  in  the  Bordeaux  mixtui’e  is  explained  on  this 
page  by  Dr.  E.  H.  Jenkins.  Send  to  Prof.  I.  P.  Roberts, 
Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  for  a  bulletin  on  the  use  of  the  arsenites 
in  spraying. 
Answers  as  to  Asparagrus. 
J.  H.,  New  Richmond,  Ohio. — 1.  What  advantage  is 
gained  by  transplanting  asparagus?  2.  I  sowed  my 
seed  early  this  spring  in  the  bed  where  I  intend  it  to 
grow  permanently;  why  not  let  it  remain  thex*e  with¬ 
out  transplanting?  2.  I  sowed  some  celery  seed  in  a 
smoked  herring  box  and  some  in  another  box  which 
had  contained  nothing,  the  same  kind  of  soil  being  used 
in  each  box;  the  plants  in  the  herring  box  grew  twice 
as  fast  and  thriftily  as  those  in  the  other.  What  made 
the  difference?  Was  it  the  salt  in  the  herring  box? 
Ans. — 1.  The  roots  of  asparagus  are  fleshy  and  wide- 
spreading.  If  plants  are  set  four  feet  apart  each  way, 
they  will  meet  in  the  course  of  two  years.  While  they 
thus  spread  out  laterally  they  do  not  go  doom  in  the  soil 
to  any  great  depth.  Hence,  it  will  appear,  there  is  a 
necessity  for  deep  setting.  If  the  plants  are  to  grow 
permanently  in  the  seed-bed,  it  would  be  well  to  raise 
the  soil  two  or  three  inches.  2.  Evidently  the  hei’ring 
box  was  deeper  or  shallower  or  better  drained.  The 
salt  in  the  wood  of  the  box  could  have  made  no 
difference. 
Notes  on  Georgia  Strawberry  Culture. 
G.  D.  H.,  Edgewood ,  <Ja. — 1.  What  are  the  three 
finest  varieties  of  strawberries — an  early,  medium 
and  late,  very  productive  and  showy?  Where  can  they 
be  obtained?  2.  When  should  strawberries  be  planted 
and  what  is  the  best  fertilizer  for  them?  How  should 
the  fertilizer  be  applied  ?  3.  How  eai’ly  can  pot- 
grown  strawberries  be  had  from  Northern  and  Eastern 
growers,  and  are  they  superior  to  layers  ? 
Ans. — 1.  The  three  best  varieties  of  strawberries 
combining  size,  production  and  appearance,  are  as  fol¬ 
lows  :  for  early,  Hoffman  ;  for  medium  and  late,  Wil¬ 
son’s  Albany  and  Ilaverland.  2.  The  most  desirable 
season  to  plant  strawberries  in  the  latitude  of  Georgia 
is  so  soon  in  October  as  the  ground  is  sufficiently  moist. 
The  ground  can  scarcely  be  made  too  rich,  and  the 
best  fertilizer  is  a  compost  of  stable  manure  and  cotton 
seed — 10  bushels  of  the  latter  to  a  two-horse  load  of 
the  former,  and  not  less  than  from  10  or  12  loads  of 
this  compost  should  be  used  per  acre.  Early  in  March 
give  the  plants  a  top-dressing  of  cotton-seed  hull  ashes 
at  the  rate  of  500  to  (500  pounds  to  the  acre.  3.  Pot- 
grown  plants  can  be  secured  early  in  August.  So  far 
as  my  experience  extends,  pot-grown  plants  do  not 
give  any  better  results  than  those  that  are  field-grown. 
P.  J.  BERC'KMANS. 
Miscellaneous. 
Prickly  Comfrey. — We  should  be  glad  to  hear  from 
seedsmen  or  nurserymen  who  have  this  plant  for  sale. 
It  never  seeds  at  the  Rural  Grounds  and  we  have  never 
heard  of  seeds  for  sale. 
Insect  Injuring  Raspbemies. — M.  F.  D.,  Clio,  Mich  — 
The  damage  done  to  the  stalks  of  your  red  raspberries 
is  due  to  the  work  of  a  Tree  Cricket  known  as  CEcan- 
thus  niveus.  The  only  remedy  is  to  gather  and  burn 
the  canes  on  which  the  eggs  have  been  deposited,  dur¬ 
ing  winter  or  early  spring. 
Beans  After  Strawberries. — It  is  safe  to  plant  beans 
after  strawberry  plants  have  been  plowed  under  They 
should  mature  thoroughly  in  (50  days  if  planted  July  1; 
then  they  would  be  out  of  the  way  before  frost.  It  is 
hard  to  advise  as  to  varieties,  whether  to  plant  the  Pea, 
Medium  or  Marrow.  Consult  your  local  market  for 
the  solution  of  this  question. 
Tree  Quinces. — O.  P.  Goodison,  Mich. — We  decidedly 
prefer  the  tree  form  in  growing  quinces,  but  to  grow 
them  in  this  way,  you  must  begin  with  a  small  one 
and  train  it  properly.  They  will  often  require  tying 
to  a  stake  for  a  year  or  two.  It  is  so  much  easier  to 
keep  out  the  borers  when  in  this  shape,  and  they  can 
be  better  cultivated  and  more  easily  cared  for  gener¬ 
ally. 
Killing  Out  St/rrel,  etc. — E.  D.  J.,  Wilson,  N.  Y. — There 
is  no  way  of  eradicating  sorrel  except  by  cultivation 
and  an  enrichment  of  the  soil  that  will  encourage 
grasses  or  clover.  Every  one  must  have  observed  the 
vast  qualities  of  seed  which  mature  on  this  plant.  It 
is  natural,  therefore,  when  it  once  obtains  a  foothold, 
that  it  should  rapidly  spread.  Lime  may  assist  in  ex¬ 
pelling  it,  or  may  not.  It  depends  upon  whether  the 
soil  happens  to  need  lime  or  not.  So  potash  would  expel 
it  if  the  land  stood  in  need  of  potash.  So  of  phosphate 
and  nitrogen.  The  plant  you  send  for  name  is  Bar- 
barea  vulgaris —Winter  Cress.  It  is  a  biennial  cruci¬ 
ferous  weed  and  will  readily  yield  to  cultivation  if  one 
is  careful  not  to  allow  it  to  seed. 
