Mesa free press. [volume] (Mesa, Ariz.) 1892-1901, 1898-01-21
FARM AND ORCHARD
Some Interesting News for the
RuraliSt
SPOKEN OF IN THIS COLUMN.
A Few Sensible Hints to Suit the Busv
Agriculturist.-Itcms That May
Benefit Onr Readers.
Combined Preventative and Scale
Killer.

There are just now two important
matters that engage the earnest at
tention of lemon growers. First, how
to keep the lemons until the summer
market; second, if they have purple
or other scale on them, how to kill
them without rubbing the fruit, which
breaks the oil cells, causing prema-
twe rot. Fruit with live scale on it
cannot be shipped, hence the neces-
sity Of destroying it, so it does not
increase when in boxes. There have
been patents issued to persons in
Australia, England and America for
preservative preparations for keeping
fruit indefinitely from decay. J. M.
Johnson Of Chula Vista, applied for
patent for his method, but has con-
cluded to give it to the public with
out patent. He treated lemons
August 2, 1897, and apparently they
will keep just as well five months
longer.
|. The formula for the preservation
mixture is inexpensive 1t kills scale
on the fruit, and the scale can be-
more easily removed than before the
lemon is treated. The lemon cures
we'll and only a very small per cent
decays, as is always the case in cur
ing.
The formula is: One pound con-
centrated I've, three pounds cottoiene,
two pounds resin, two ounces borax.
Melt the cottolene and resin together,
dissolve I've in two quarts of hot
water add borax, and while all is
hot mix. This makes a saponaceous
compound, When you wish to put
your lemoLs away to keep a long time
make two gallons of water hot and
add the soap to it, heat the whole to
100 deg. Fab, then dip The lemons
into it, letting them remain a few
seconds not too long, or the Gil
cells will be affected by the heat.
Nail piece of wire netting on
frame with a handle for dipping, lay
them in your tray or boxes where
they are to remain until you sell
them. To those who wish to kill
scale on fruit and keep their lemons
a long time, it is worthy of trial.
We believe it will be means of CIV
ing better advantage of the market,
when prices are higher, as they un-
doubtedly will be.
Another vital subject is the en-
forcement of our quarantine laws on
the Atlantlc as we'll as. the Pacific
coast. If the scale-infected fruit
which comes from Italy and Sicily,
was barred from the market as 1t
should be, there would be but very
little imported fruit reach our de8fr
ers. Write your Congressman re-
speeding the matter of quarantine
laws. If they are not rigid enough
ask him to make some that will be.
AS yet we have received no practical
benefit from the tariff The railroads
have increased rates of freight, and
while we are prevented from shipping
scaly lemons, the entire dago outfit
is distributing scale in every market
it can reach in our country
We noticed some large trees that
had been sprayed with kerosene un-
til the trunks were blistered and
breaking out with gum. They will
try the I've wash next time, and get
better results in every way.
One member of the commission is
expected to be present at the Farm
ers' Club Institute 70 be held in Los
Angeles January 8, 4, and 5. Com
missioner Austin is down for a paper
on insect pests.