Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-06
rxppniM EN1s ON TREES.
Results of Tests Made Mt the Delaware Col
Iege Agricultural Station.

Iese Agricultural Station.
Delaware College Agricultural Elk
pertinent Station has issued bulletin
concerning experiments in the treat
ment of peach rot and apple scab.
For treating peach rot an expert
ment was made on the farm of
j. W. Killen, FELTON,, the object
being to test the value of two fun
gicides- the Bordeaux mixture and the
copper acetate solution-which pre-
vious experience indicated would likely
prove eifectual with least harm TO the
foliage; to test the relative value of
these in different strengths and to test
the number of different applications
from two to six. Six applications were
made from April 9th 10th TO June 2Sth,
to trees in two plots, comprising trees
of the Alexander, Early Rivers and
Hale's varieties.
From the tables and diagrams given
in the bulletin it appears that six
| applications of mixture or solution re-
duced the amount of rot to about one
third what was on the unsprayed trees,
| that four sprayings gave about the
same results as six sprayings; that
there was about twice as much rot
with two sprayirgs as with four or six;
that the copper acetate solution, one
| half strength, was too weak to be effect
i've. The cost for labor and materials
where the Bordeaux mixture is used
need not exceed IL cents per tree for
the six applications.
The profits of spraying result Il By
increasing the amount of fruit which
is brought to full size by checking the
destruction of bloom and young fruit
/ r. l.. r. 4t,x .,a
rot fungus and the curculio. (2) By
increasing the amount of sound, mar
ketable fruit by checking the decay OF
fruit during, or Just before the ripen-
ing period.
In the first case it is believed that by
spraying with combined fungicides and
insecticides the total yield can be in.
creased by at least three fold In the
second case it is believed that of this
total yield the amount of sound fruit
can be increased from three to four fold,
making total yield of sound fruit oI
at least ten fold.
From these facts it is not difficult
matter, says the bulletin, for any fruit
grower to decide for himself whether
an expenditure of 10 or II cents pei
tree for the season will put money int
h'o HoNht|
A comparison is made with the re
suits of experiments in 1882, 1893 ant
1885. and general directions are giyer
for spraying the trees.
The experiments in the treatment o
apple scab were made at s. II. Derbv's
Woodside, upon Early Harvest, Straw
berry and Wine Sap trees.
Bordeaux mixture was used flv,
times from April 18th to June llth.
For trees sprayed five times the pro
portion of first grade fruit was NOR
than doubled over that from tree
SPRAYED but once, and the proportion o
second grade fruit diminished NOR
than one-half over that from tree
sprayed but once. The main effect O
, the scab fungus is to hinder or stun
the development Of the growing apple
The bulletin gives general direction
, for spraying apples. Mr.. Derby ha
estimated the cost for material an
/ labor for five sprayings to be about |
{ cents per tree. Upon general princi
, pies it is believed that it will pay t
! spray all apple trees with combine
fungicide and insecticide.