The Democratic advocate., 1904-02-27
An Earnest Appeal to the Apparent
Negligent Orchardists in Our State.

The season is at hand when every orchardist
must give his trees attention. Go among
your trees and examine them closely TO
certain whether they are infected with San
Jose scale. If you cannot determine this fact
send twigs to the State Entomologist. College
Park, Maryland, and he will determine it for
you free of charge.
Ifthe pest exists in your orchard resolve
TO control it and save your trees. 1t is need
less to cite that this pest is very injurious one,
and that it reproduces very rapidly. 1t win
tiers as a partially mature insect and must be
treated when trees are in a dormant state, from
the fact that an insecticide cannot be applied
when trees are in foliage strong enough to
kill the insect without injuring the tree.
Weak solutions are applied in summer to hold
the pest in check until winter, when full
strength can be used with a deleterious effect
on the scale. Treatment should be applied
early this spring before the buds begin to
swell
The most efficient and inexpensive treat
ment as yet employed is the lime, sulphur and
salt wash, and it is strongly urged that each
orchardist who has this pest among his trees,
will apply 1t during the latter part OF this
month or the first of hext.
The materials for making the lime, sui phur
and salt wash are good fresh sIoue lime, flow
er of SUI. .hur and common salt in the follow
ing proportions:
Fresh stone lime, so pounds.
Flower of sulphur, l5 pounds.
Common salt. u pounds.
Water to make 90 gallons.
The amount of lime may be reduced to 20
pounds il one desires, it is stated II Is equally
effective.
Method Of making: Place about Is to 20
gallons of water in Hn iron kettle. boiler or
harrs-l Tho lafaa IN Sf and hiring
10 boil. When the boiling point is reached,
add the amount OF Unslacked lime aud during
the consequent boiling add the sulphur, which
should have previously been mixed with
waIerl, and keep we'll stirred. In short
time add the amount Of salt aud continue the
boiling at least three-guarters of an hour or
until all the sulphur has been dissolved and
YOU have an amber colored solution. IL may
be necessary to add water from time to time
10 make up for evaporation and to prevent
burning When boiled sufficiently add wafer
TO make so gallons and strain through fine
mesh strainer la to the spray barrel and apply
warm. Hot or cold water may be added TO
make up the amount, but hot water is prefer
able, as the solution will spray better through
the pump.
This wash has proven wholly effective all
over the State in controlling the San Jose
scale. and in addition to being an excellent
inseclicide, it is stated 10 have 4 beneficial
effect upon the early appearing fungi. Is
pecially is il effective in controlling the peach
Ieafeurl.
Ii is strongly urged again that all orchardists
who have the San Jose scale TO combat, treat
the infected trees as it will not only prove
benefit 10 themselves but also their neighbors
in preventing the further spread of the insect.
Ii may be mentioned in this connection thSt
our law requires that all infestations should be
treated.
Any further information as regards the lime,
sulphur and salt wash aud also as to the means
of controlling the ravages of this or other in
furious insects will be gladly given by writing
the State Entomologist, College Park, Mary
land Very truly yours,
THOMAS b. SYMoSs.
Associate State EutomoioVist