The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-03-23

n ~ @@S
CARDS trees in orchard. It cannot be
thoroughly and satisfactory carried
out i'm q large way by any one except
@ professional, with some ability as an
engineer. Moeto Of the California washes
have all been tested by the United
States Department Of Agriculture at
Washington, D. c., but nothing ave a
strong solution of whale oil soap has
been found fully satisfactory under all
circumstances.
In North Carolina, we have con
Quoted the following experiments. No
vember 90, 1896, in an orchard contain
ing pear, peach, plum, apple and
cherry trees, all badly infested. ALI
the trees in this orchard were first cut
back to the main branch and all small
twigs removed. On the average one
half the wood of tenSyear old peach
trees was cut away and burned:
Experiment No. 1.-One row of ten
trees was sprayed with hot solution of
whale oil soap made as in formula No.
1, at rate of two pounds of soap to M
gallon of water. Result: Destruction
of about IS to SO per cent. Of the scales.
The treatment seemed very effective.
In three hours after applying, the pre-
viously hard scales were seen bleached
out, transparent and l~ifeless. But
after an interval Of about three weeks
q very thorough search showed that
when the scales had been massed
thickly the solution had in some cases
failed to penetrate and kill every
scale. On the average az nearly as we
could judge without actually counting
the scalee, a task practically impossible
in an orchard, there were left alive
from 2 to 5 per cent. of the scales. A
second treatment which will be given
in the spring, is calculated to complete
ly destroy the insects which escaped
the first application.
Experiment No. 2.-One row of II
trees, same variety as No. 1, we're
scrubbed with a common hand scrub
bring brush, using the same solution as
in No. 1. Result: Only from 70 to 80
per cent. (estimated) of the scales were
destroyed after the same interval as
before. We expt cted better results
from scrubbing than from spraying, as
it was thought that the stiff bristles OF
the brush would break up the massed
scales and allow the solution to pene
trate better. The scrubbing method
requires less than one half the liquid
used in spraying. The work was cone
by two men working IN the same tree
and carrying the liquid in wooden
pals. The soap lathered very freely
and did not seem to penetrate the
scales as did that from the sprayer. It
formed a light trothy covering to the
tree until washed eff by rain. In both
these and all other experiments, it was
found practically impossible to secure
thorough work when the WOrkmen
we're left to themselves. They had to
be watched and frequently sent back
to repeat what was first attempted.
This diff ;ulty is due, aside from the
inherent incapacity or dislike Of such
people to do thorough work, to the
crossing of small branchs s which shade
or protect portions of others and from
leaving unwetted small circles about
the tip Of the branch. Tue overpower
ing smell Of the solution also probably |
helped to prevent thorough work.
FORMULA NO 1.
Whale oil soap.............20 pounds
Soft water 10 gallons |
Directions: Boil the soap in the full
quantity of water, replacing that evap !
GRATED. Use hot as a fine spray. We
recommend the second grade whale oil
soap sold by Schoellkcpt, Maclagan &
Hartford, Cedar street, New York
Price in barrel lots 81 cents per pound
James Good, 514 Hurst street, Phila
delphia, also makes a good whale oil
soap. Price by barrel 81 cents per
pound; so pounds 6 cents per pound
Experiment Bulletin No 1873.
1