THE HOWARD SCALE 17 
water in the boiling vessel. While the water is being heated by a hot 
file, mix in a separate vessel fifteen pounds sulfur with enough water 
to form a thin paste. Add this sulfur paste to the water and bring 
the mixture to a temperature just below the boiling point. Now add 
fifteen pounds good lump lime. A violent slaking will at once take 
place. Keep cold water at hand, adding if necessary to prevent boiling 
ovei the sides of the vessel or to keep the mixture from becoming 
too thick. After the lime has ceased slaking, keep steadily boiling for 
forty-five minutes, stirring almost constantly, when it will be ready 
for dilution with hot or cold water to make up fifty gallons of spray. 
It is then ready to be strained and applied. 
Time to Spray. Late spring will be the best time to spray for 
this insect, though a fall application, after the leaves are off, will be 
effective. It should always 'be borne in mind that the lime-sulfur 
wash is a caustic spray designed only for dormant trees and not to 
be sprayed upon trees in foliage. Late spring is preferable to early 
spring sprayings. It should not be delayed too late lest there be danger 
of injuring the tender fruit buds. Pear buds, though swpllen may, 
ordinarily be sprayed with safety even when the minute green leaves 
are showing beyond the tips of the bud scales. After the green leaf 
rudiments are in view a cluster of rudimentary pears, each borne by 
separate pedicel or stalk, will be found within each swollen bud. 
One may probably spray with the mixture up to the time these bloom 
stalks separate into distinct buds, just before unfurling their first 
petals. 
Orchardists should begin their spring spraying for this pest in 
ample time so that it may be completed before it is too late. The time 
allotted will depend upon local conditions such as size and number of 
trees, and kind of apparatus. 
Application. Success in spraying against this insect, as with 
others, depends more upon the thoroughness with which the spraying 
is done than upon any other detail. All portions of the tree, from 
the tip of the twigs to the base of the trunk must be completely 
coated. Trees must be sprayed from all directions. Strong winds 
at time of spraying will sometimes make this a difficult undertaking. 
The tips of twigs around the outside of the tree and in the top should 
not be neglected. Fortunately the spray is of such a color that parts 
of the bark left uncovered may be readily detected. If such spots 
can be found, the spraying there should be repeated. 
Apparatus. Kind of apparatus used in preparing the wash will 
depend largely upon the amount to be used. 
Prepored in a small way, iron kettles are found suitable, such 
as are shown in plate I. fig. II. For small amounts a very convenient 
and inexpensive boiling vat is made with No. 18 sheet iron bottom 
with fourteen-inch planks for sides. The ends of the tank are formed 
by bending upward the two ends of the iron bottom, without forming 
sharp angles. The outside dimensions are 6 ft. by 2 ft. 6 in. Before 
nailing on the iron bottom to the edges of the plank, insert a strip 
of felt between wood and iron and coat with a heavy lead paint. Nail 
