Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-22
Experiment Station Notes on Spraying.

MoIuc agricultural GAP0iihieht sotd-
ton. 1t is devoted to notes on spray
ing. 1t is assumed in the beginning
that the need of spraying the orchard is
already established beyond the question
of any man who may own an orchard
and the author of the bulletin immedi-
ately enters upon the matter of prepa
ration for the seasons work. First the
apparatus should be examined and put
in condition. This may save valuable
time later on. The bulletin is Illus
trated with cuts of vehicles for carry
ing the spraying apparatus. and anyone
contemplating the use of such should
secure a copy of the bulletin. Several
pumps are recommended but the best
nozzle. in the opinion of the author, is
the McGowen. Notwithstanding SO
much has been said concerning the
proper preparations, the essentials of it
are again repeated.
No definite time for beginning the
work can be stated as this will depend
on the season and on the object in view.
1t is of course understood that the
arsenites-of which Paris green is pre-
ferred-are used to destroy insects
which eat the leaves or fruit. such as
bud moth, canker- worm, codling-mot
etc. The copper salts. of which the
best preparation is the Bordeaux mix
ture, are used to prevent the spread of
fungous diseases such as apple scab,
brown rot. etc. If the two classes of
enemies are to be met the remedies
may be applied at one operation -
In general our recommendation for
preventing apple scab would be to
spray with Bordeaux mixture just be-
fore the fruit buds open, again with the
same just as the blossoms fall, and re-
peat the operation once or twice at in
terValS of two or three weeks If the
season is wet In the first two lots
applied, Paris green should be added in
the proportion of l pound to $50 or 200
gallons. thus destroying leaf-eating in
sects and the cooling moth"
AT least three sprayings should be
given as above, and many would ad
wise treatment with solution of pure
copper sulphate--1 pound to Is gallons
water-before the buds burst in spring.
There is some question about the i'm
portance of this early treatment. but in
our own experience such treatment has
usually been found advantageous.
The Bordeaux mixture, usually
prepared, consists of six pounds cop
per sulphate. four pounds quick lime
and fifty gallons water. The copper
salt is dissolved in a wooden tub, the
lime slaked in separate vessel and
when ready for use the two are mixed
and diluted as above
In large orchards much time may be
saved by preparing stock solutions of
the lime and copper instead of con-
stantly making up a new batch. Dis
solve 40 pounds of copper sulphate in as
many gallons of water. A gallon of the
solution will thus contain one pound of
the copper salt. In a similar way a
stock solution of lime may be prepared.
Keep both solutions tightly covered and
stir thoroughly before dipping any out.
A gallon of clear lime water contains
only one-sixth of an ounce of lime in
stead of a pound, as desired. 1t is now
a Very simple matter to take six gallons
of the copper solution. four of the lime,
and dilute to the requisite amount"
The Bordeaux mixture and Paris
green above mentioned are standard
remedies for orchard work. But there
are some insects which are best reached
by other means, and it is assumed that
the orchardist knows what he is fight
ing before commencing operations. For
currant worms. the specific-after the
fruit has SETS fresh white hellebore.
For the first brood of this insect we al
ways use Paris green. Aphis and scale
| insects are best met with kerosene
emulsion. For brown rot of plums,
after the fruit has partly developed.
the ammoniacal solution of copper car
Donate is preferred to Bordeaux mix
ture. as the latter discolors the fruit"
MIR. Munson gives the following as
the best formula for kerosene emulsion
| Hard soap ................ " pound
| Boiled water ............... l gallon
| Kerosene ................. 2 gallons
| Dissolve the soap in the water. add
the kerosene and churn through force
pump for five to ten minutes. In gen
eral, dilute about ten times before us
| ing. On very tender succulent plants
dilute fifteen or twenty times. and fol
scale insects on woody plants dilute
onl i've times.
MA helebore mixture:
Fresh white hellebore $3.50. I ounce
Water OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. j gallons
A little flour paste added to the
mixture will cause it to adhere to the
foliage better.
Ammoniacal copper carbonate mix
ture:
Copper carbonate ........ ! ounce
Ammonia water ............ ] quart
For this purpose take the strongest
ammonia. 26 degrees Beaume. an6
dilute it with seven or eight volumes o.
water before using. This stock solu
ton may be kept indefinitely in closet,
corked bottles. Dilute as above whef
ready for use.