The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-09-06
FUNGIcIDEs AND SPRAYING.
1.-The Bordeaux Mixture.
Editors Progressive Farmer

EDITORS progressive FARMER:
The efficiency of fungicides depends upon the
fact that many plant diseases are caused by fungi.
These fungi gain entrance to the plant at the
surface by the means of reproductive bodies called
spores. The f~ungicide is a mixture which is
spread upon the surface of the plant and by its
poisonous properties prevents the spores from
successfully terminating and gaining entrance
into the plant. These mixtures have been in use
only during the last quarter of the last century.
Notwithstanding their recent discovery and in
PRODUCTION they have made rapid Roadway in gain
ing a permanent place as a necessary means of
crop protection. Their efficiency is recognized by
all who grow for profit fruits, or other susceptible
plants, and by all lovers of perfect fruit and
healthy plants. Spraying for fungus diseases is
recognized as a necessary measure by the success
full horticulturist
The Bordeaux mixture, which takes it's name
from its place of discovery, Bordeaux in France.
is the most widely used and, with certain limita-
tions, the most effective fungicide. 1t consists of
copper sulphate (blue vitrial or blue stone) and
quick lime mixed with water in various proper
tions. The Bordeaux mixture first used contained
Is pounds of copper sulphate, "a pounds of lime,
and % gallons of water. This constituted a pasty
mass. Prohtlng from experience this was quickly
superseded by weaker solutions. The first of
these contained SIX pounds of copper sulphate,
four pounds of lime and twenty-five gallons Of
water, which may be called in brief a 6-4-22 mix
ture, This was superseded by 6-4-45, while to-day
we find recommended 6-4-6O, $3.50, and 44-5O
for common use, weaker strengths to be used in
special cases. There is no certainty as to which
of these strengths is best. No damage can come
from the use of as strong solution as $3.50, yet
it is possible that all the good can be accom-
plished by the ALSO. If so, there would be a loss
of material through the use of the stronger solu-
ton. This matter is open to experimentation.
The two strengths of Bordeaux are as follows:
Copper sulphate or blue stone ....4 TBS.
Qulck lime lbs.
Water so gallons.
This strength may be used on all plants of
which the foliage is not susceptible to injury.
Those plants with delicate foliage, such as the
peach, plum, cherry, and apricot, demand weaker
solutions, consisting of
Copper sulphate ...............2 Tbs.
Lime Tbs.
water so gallons.
copper sulphate ..............2T lbs.
Lime lbs.
water so gallons.
In the preparation of the Bordeaux mixture
1T is we'll to have on hand stock solutions Of con-
per sulphate and lime. The stock solution of
the copper sulphate should be made by dissolying
a certain number of pounds of copper sulphate
In one-half the number of gallons of water. @. o.
81 pounds OF copper sulphate in 40 gallons of
water. Every gallon of this stock solution will
contain two pounds of copper sulphate, and the
necessity of weighing is avoided. The stock 60
luton will remain good for any length of time
if protected from evaporation, or if any water
evaporated is replaced. In order to dissolve the
conner sulnhate It is host 10 IL :.