198 
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 
[Vol. 16 
of papers. The exchange of opinions on the part of the older and more 
experienced entomologists and teachers, is of great value. 
A paper will now be given by Mr. L. A. Stearns. 
SPREADER TESTS ON APPLES AND PEACHES 1 
By L. A. Stearns and W. S. Hough, Virginia State Crop Pest Commission 
Abstract and Conclusions 
Casein and Flour-Paste have received considerable attention for some time as 
spreaders and adhesives in spray solutions. In 1922, orchard tests were conducted 
with Kayso, a prepared casein spreader, and Magnet Dry Paste, a prepared flour- 
paste spreader to determine their effectiveness as influencing the spreading and ad¬ 
herence of the summer applications in the scheduled programs for apple and peach 
spraying in Virginia. 
Neither of the spreaders used increased the effectiveness of the spray solution in 
protecting the fruit from insects and diseases. The same was true in case of the 
foliage. It is doubtful that the addition of a spreader, such as the two used, would 
pay for the increased cost of the spray. Nicotine Sulphate 40% (Black Leaf 40) 
and casein (Kayso), as used, were uncongenial. 
The use of a spreader for sprays has developed recently from a recog¬ 
nized need of increasing the effectiveness of the spray solution. It has 
been demonstrated in the laboratory, but less certainly under orchard 
conditions, that certain materials possess specific characteristics which 
influence the spreading and adherence of sprays. Among these, casein 
and flour-paste have received considerable attention. Kayso, a pre¬ 
pared casein spreader, which has been widely advertized, and Magnet 
Dry Paste, apparently identical with the flour and billboard pastes, 
which have been recommended highly, are the two products used in the 
tests reported herein. The results represent one seasons’ work only, 
and as such, are preliminary rather than final. 
Tests With Casein and Flour-Paste Spreaders on Apples 
These tests were conducted in Ophir Orchard at Leesburg and in the 
Kinzel Orchard at Winchester, the owners, Mr. L. Clark Hoge and Mrs. 
George Kinzel, cooperating. Both are hillside orchards. Ophir 
Orchard contains 12-year old Staymans interplanted with Yellow 
Transparents and Jonothans in contoured rows, while the Kinzel 
Orchard is a solid block of 21-year old Yorks. 
The Virginia spray calendar for apjM ^s, in 1922, called for 5 quarts of 
standard lime-sulphur and 1 pound of powdered lead arsenate to 50 
x The tests at Leesburg and Vienna were conducted by the senior author, and at 
Winchester, by the junior author. 
