Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-12-22
FILL SPRAYING FOR
THE SAN JOSE SCALE.
Contributed BY warren shinn.

Contributed BY Warren Shinn.
Trees weakened by scale are liable to be-
come winter killed-blossoms are lost to the
extent of fifty per cent. in scale incrusted
trees-the leaf and flower buds likely to be-
come blasted by Fall spraying the crude
oil, kerosene oil, caustic soda and whale
oil soap preparations not to be used by the
is the lime-sulphur-salt-w persons har-
boring this pest upon their property Ii
able to fine-all nurseries in this state
being closely watched by the State Inspec-
tor. One nurseryman in this state being
compelled to hnrn 10000 peach and 90
900 apple trees.
With the complete infestation of large
orchards much trouble is usually exper-
fenced by fruit growers, especially when
the sulphur washes are used, in spraying
all the trees satisfactorily during the DOR
mant season in the Spring. To facilitate
treatment, it has been suggested in Ger
tain quarters that fall spraying be en-
ployed for portion Of the trees. While
this has been seriously considered, orchard
lists have been deferred from this practice
because little was known as to the results
upon fruit trees and scale likely to attend
such treatment. Experiments with the
lime-sulphate-salt wash prove most satis-
factory. This wash is made up as follows:
Lime (unslacked) ..... Is pounds
Sulphur (fiourl ....-s.... 10 pounds
Salt (table) ..-.|..|..s.x.....s..... Is pounds
Water ..s..- so gollons
This formula can be made up in any
quantity desired. First slack the lime to
a thin paste. Then pour into the pot in
which the mixture is to be boiled Mix
the sulphur with water to form thins
paste, and add it, together with the salt
and about twenty-fv gallons Of water, to
the lime The whole should now be
boiled igerolsly for from one AID oae-
half to two hours, when enough scalding
water should be added to make the full
fifty gallons, aud the boiling continued for
about half an hour longer. The mixture
is then ready to put into the spraying ma
chine, but it should be carefully strained
as it is being poured into the tank. It
should be applied to the trees while hot.
There are two methods OF boiling the
mixtures. either in large iron kettles, or in
barrels or tanks with live steam. The for
mer method is satisfactory for small or
chards, especially if two or three kettles are
used, so that quantity of the mixture may
be in constant preparation. For large or
chards large yats holding two or three hun
dred gallons or more are built, usually four
or five feet above ground, so that the mix
ture can be drawn off into the spray tanks,
and the contents steam boiled for two hours.
Where it can be used the steam boiling
method is to be preferred, as there are no
open fires to watch and the boiling is apt
to be more thorough. When we'll made the
lime-sulphur-salt wash is heavy, caustic
somewhat brownish liquid having strong
sulphorous odor. After standing for a short
time the heavy ingredients settle, leaving a
clear reddish liquid. Long reddish crystals
viii soon form in the bottom OF the pot
There is no need of special spraying ma
chine for this wash. Any sprayer will am
swer The wash should be carefully strained
before placing In the sprayer. The hands
and face should be protected while spray
ing, as my experience has been that it will
cause the hands to become very sore if the
spray comes in contact with the skin.
Gloves Of rubber or in fact any old pair Of
gloves and broad -brimmed hat should be
used. Spray thoroughly, especial down
into the axils Of the leaves, or that part of
the leafstallS which joins the stem or trunk
of the trees. The whitewash will smother
any of the insects that may be roaming
around on the trees
Some orchardists use crude oil and ker-
osene and spray Of caustic soda These
formule are dangerous ia the hands Of in
experienced workers. Both are liable to
kill the trees when not properly worked
The whale oil soap, one pound to ten gal
Ions, often is sure kill for the sale This
is liable, however, to injure the trees when
not properly applied The safest way is
the lime-sulphur-salt, the only inconven-
ience being the boiling Of the solu-
tion. This, however, is not to be
avoided, as without the mixture being
thoroughly Incorporated, the spray will
haye no effect Any person desiring fur
ther information on this subject can secure