Middletown transcript., 1894-03-24
FARM AND GARDEN.

Charles Parry Tells How to Make and
Apply the Bordeaux Mixture.
The Bordeaux mixture, although
one of the first to be introduced, has
proven to be without rival. 1t is
most fortunate that this mixture was
given the peblic without restriction OF
any kind, for there is no other which
can replace it. The only alteration
suggested is to reduce the strength
one-half. Instead of six pounds Of
sulphate of copper to 20 gallons OF
water, we now add enough water to
make 80 gallons.
An improved method for making
the Bordeaux mixture consists in
using prussiate Of potash to determine
the amount of lime necessary to neu-
tralize the sulphate of copper, instead
of weighing small amount of lime
and slackin it each time. tits diff
cult, in some places, to get small
quantities of fresh lime, and large
quantity, if not used, soon spoils. By
keeping on hand bottle Of solution
of prussiate of potash, costing few
pennies, a bushel or more can be
Stacked at time. Then, after the
sulphate of copper is dissolved, add
the milk of lime until the test shows
there is sufficient, then add enough
water to make the required quantity,
say about eight gallons for each
pound of sulphate Of copper. A few
drops Of the prussiate Of potash in the
sulphate of copper solution gives a
deep brown stain. As the lime is add
ed this stain shows less and less, and
when it is no longer seen there is lime
enough.
A word as to the proper mode OF
dissolving the sulphate of copper.
The old plan was to use hot water,
or to put the Jumps in the bottom of
tub or barrel and stir them. By
this plan the water at the bottom be-
came saturated with the copper salt
until it could dissolve no more, and,
being heavier than the pure water, it
remained on the bottom and prevented
further solution, SO that it took two
days sometimes to dissolve large Jumps
of the copper salt. The proper plan
is to place the Jumps of sulphate of
copper in grape basket, and suspend
it in the water as near the top as pos
sible. AS the water takes up the salt
it becomes heavier and sink, while
fresh supply surrounds the salt. Thus
a constant circulation is maintained,
and it is surprising how quickly the
Jumps are dissolved,
The wonderful effects of the Bor-
deaux mixture were strikingly shown
the past season in large orchard of
Bartlett pear trees effected with leaf
blight, in charge of Mr.. Bergman.
This orchard blooms freely every
spring, but persistently fails to bear
fruit, and Mr.. Bergman has been try
ing to find out Why. A seriee of
experiments with fertilizers was inter-
esting but brought no fruit, but
another series with spraying had bet
ter results. The leaves in this orchard
generally fall in July and August
from leaf blight, and to counteract
this Mr.. Bergman sprayed several
times, first with different mixtures,
then, different number Of times, and
at different seasons of the year from
April to August. The plots were all
numbered and the treatment recorded.
The last of September there was not
leaf to be seen except on the sprayed
trees. Those that had been sprayed
several times and especially for two
years were as rank and green with
abundant foliage as they had been in
the spring. 1t could be plainly seen
on the fall trees how far the spray had
reached, as below the line the foliage
was abundant and above they were as
bare of leaves as in winter.
Another noticeable feature was the
difference in fruit buds. On the un-
sprayed trees they were small, puny,
and weak, and could hardly be dis
tinguished from leaf buds. while on
the sprayed trees they were great,
plump, fat globes that have promise
ofabundant fruitage. Mr.. Bergman
says the trees sprayed in 1892 bore
double in 1898 over those unsprayed,
and he expects them to do still better
this year. From careful examination
of the different plots it was decided
that two sprayings, one June 1, one
two weeks later, were sufficient for all
practical purposes.
While for this vicinity spraying the |
Bartlett is not SO vitality necessary as
with Mr.. Bergman, yet there are other
varieties, such as Beurre Clargeau,
Flemish Beauty and Louise Beurre de |
Jersey that are of little value without |
it, and are SO much improved by it that |
they look like a different variety of |
fruit. Another point in favor Of spray
ing the Bartlett is the fruit will hang
longer, and, as the late Bartletts sell |
the best, the crop will bring more
money therefor.
The ounce is another fruit that |
seems to be greatly benefited by Bar
deaux mixture. When it is applied |
regularly and Systematically year
after year this shy bearing tree
changes to regular and abundant
bearer of large sized, handsome fruit |
that cclors up we'll and sells for the
highest market price.