72 
SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE 
When you first make the solution it will seem incredible that 
such a small quantity of water would suffice. It makes a very 
stiff paste, and it must be a stiff paste or it will not work. It 
is also essential that the flour of sulphur be stirred well with 
the water. The caustic soda can now be stirred in with this 
sulphur paste. This can be done in wooden vessels. It is 
not necessary to have metallic vessel? ; in tact it is better not 
to use metals since they are attacked by the sulphides formed. 
This solution can be made up in the field in a barrel. The 
right quantity of caustic soda can be weighed out and put in 
a glass jar, with a tight fitting cork, and you can make the 
solution as you wish to use it. It will keep if protected from 
the air. This is a concentrated sulphur solution. I will state 
that the cost of sulphur is about 1-J cents f. o. b. New York 
City. I cannot state exactly though, but this is about the 
figure. It can probably be obtained of some good dealer in 
Jacksonville at 2 cents f. o. b. 
L. Montgomery —I beg to state that it can be bought for 
$22 a ton f. o. b. New York City. 
Prof. Swingle —After the reaction has taken place, dilute 
the liquid to twenty gallons. The cost per gallon of this 
made up solution will be about 5 to 7 cents. The same thing 
can, of course, be made with potash if it is so desired. Caus¬ 
tic soda will do the same as potash. It might pay to use 
potash instead of caustic soda, but at present the cheapest 
sulphur spray that can be made is with the caustic soda. The 
same proportion of caustic potash is to be used as of caustic 
soda. I will experiment further with this and will publish 
the results in full in all Florida papers. The sulphur solu¬ 
tion will be of great benefit in fighting the enemies of the 
orange. I would not advise the use of more than one gallon 
to filty gallons of water for anything. It is probable that 
from one to two quarts to fifty gallons will be required to kill 
the rust mite. For the red spider I would use from two to 
four quarts to fifty gallons. 
E. Bean—I have a copy of Miller & McMaster’s patent 
covering this property of dissolving sulphur by the use of 
caustic soda. The Professor can read that portion relating tO' 
the sulphur solution. 
(Prof. Swingle then read paper submitted by Mr. Bean 
which was on the subject of Miller & McMaster’s patent). 
Prof. Swingle —From the part of the patent that I have 
read I cannot see that there is any infringement on Miller & 
McMaster’s patent. I prepared my solution a few days ago 
and I am sure I have never before seen a copy of the patent I 
have just read. I doubt if my solution can be patented. It 
