Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-04-01
Treatment of Diseases and Insects that
affect the Apple.

For the benefit of those who have apple
orchards we publish the circular concern
ing the treatment of diseases and insects
affecting the apple, issued by the Virginia
Agricultural Experiment Station, prepared
by Prof. William B. Atwood, botanist and
entomologist. AS the remedial measures
for parasitic fungi are Of preventive and
not curative nature the application must
be made before or promptly after the ap.
pearance of disease. The fruit already af.
feoted cannot be restored to health.
PREPARATORY TREATMENT.
The orchard should be trimmed of all
dead limbs and also superfuous ard inter
locking branches. Prnne with the idea of
preserving the symmetry of the top, and
open it sufficiently to admit air and sun
light freely, but do not prune SO as to un
necessarily expose trunk and main branches
to the scalding effect Of sum mer sun.
Pruning should be done now before sap
flows too freely. Also the trunk and main
limbs should be scraped clean of rough
bark, lichens, etc. A number of average
trees should be left in the orchard unprun
ed and uncared for, for purposes of COM
parison. 1t would be well if these included
some of the best varieties.
Soon as this preliminary treatment is
completed those trees to be used in the test
should be selected in blocks or rows of say
ten trees each, and should include at least
trees of two good varieties. A diagram
should be made of each block or row, and
the trees of each block should be lettered
from A upwards, using as many letters as
there are trees, and separate record made
of each one-thus Block !, tree A, tree B,
tree f, etc.
Blocks 2, 8, aud s. would Of course be
numbered and lettered likewise.
Only four Of these series are to be treat.
ed with the full treatment; the other is de-
81, ed to determine the effects of lye treat
nent alone, and as check where no treat
ment is given.
The first treatment is with a solution of
concentrated lye, leon Hirsch's is prefer
red, because we know its strength), Id.
dissolved in 10 gallons of water, Ordinary
lye Id to gallons.
This solution should be sprayed upon the
entire tree thoroughly, washing all the
limbs, branches and trunks. Its applica-
tion must be made before the buds swell,
or at least before they open.
The other preparations are each to be ep
piled as follows: First treatment, soon as
bloom has fallen. Care should be taken
not to make this application before pollin-
alton of the blossoms is completed, but it
must not be delayed beyond time specified.
Each Of the treatments are to be repeated
III fifteen day periods, the first two treat
meuts covering the entire block and the
last two only one half of the block.
FoRMULE AND DIRECTIONS.
a. Lson Hirsch's Potash Lye, 1 Id. to
1C gallons Of water, to be sprayed upon one
half of tie trees, of each section or block,
while buds are yet dormant. Block / is to
be one half treated in this manner, and then
to receive no further treatment at all. But
the quantity and quality of fruit is to be
carefully compared with other blocks.
(2) Copper Sulphate 2 lbs, dissolved in
quarts of boiling water; Fresh Lime, 81
lbs., s!aked in sufficient water to make a
soft paste. Add the copper solution to the
lime slowly, and stir until all chemical &C
ton ceases. This work should be done in
wooden or ear5ben vessels, as these materi-
ais attack and corrode iron, tin, etc. The
above quantity is sufficient for % gallons of
water. For larger Quantities increase the
ingredients proportionaly. Block 2 is to
be treated with this preparation soon as
blossoms fall, and again in fifteen days.
Then fifteen days later third treatment to
one half the block, and fifteen days later
another fourtb) treatment to the same
haf. This cuts the block into two Dor.
tions, one of which is treated twice and the
other four times.
go Copper Sulrhate, 2 lbs., dissolved
in quarts of boiling water. Carbonate
of Soda, D lbs, dissolved also in quarts
of boiling water; mix the two slowly aud
Stir until chemical action ceases. The
same precautions mentioned above should
be observed as to mixing. This quantity
is sufficient for % gallons of water, and it
hould be applied to Block 8, just as direct
/. in previous.
a. Carbonate of Copper o., dissolv-
ed in 1 quart of strong ammonia, diluted
with 20 gallons of water. Block should
pe treated with this preparation at same
Nates and in same manner as prescribed
S2.
To- Sulphide of Potassium 121 o., dis.
solved and diluted to % gallons of water.
Apply to Block 3, just as prescribed for
Block 2.
This treatment, if well carried out, gives
q series of experiments which should aid us
very much in determining the value of early
washing with lye, and the extent and FIRE
auency Of subsequent applications which
re necessary TO prevent injury from
SScab"; and we expect good results from
is treatment In checking the black leaf
1t ard the red rust Of the apple. The