The Delta independent., 1907-05-17
SPRAYING FRUIT TREES.
Things Which Should Be Remem
bered in Fighting Pests.


Having had a great deal of expert.
ence in spraying fruit trees find that
there are three essential things that
should be borne in mind. First. know
ing what to spray for; second, using
the proper solution, and third. to spray
at the right time. l am aware Of the
fact that great many owners of fruit
trees have some very indefinite ideas
as to what to spray with. when to
spray. or whether it makes any diff
ference how it is done, just so as they
spray. 1t is certain that spraying
might as well be given up entirely un-
less it is done thoroughly and reSu-
larly at the proper time each season.
While it is by no means cure for all
the ills of tree fruit culture, still 1t is
a powerful adjunct to successful or
chard management. AS l have prac.
ticed spraying regularly each season
for several years l have found that
one of the first requisites toward sue
cess is a good outfit complete. After
experiencing the use of three different
outfits the best one | have yet found
consists of a lo0-sallon cask which
rests on its side in a rack to hold II
in place. \ strong force pump with
an automatic stirrrer which is put in
the bulge of the cask. two half-inch
hose 16 feet long. two ten feet extern
sion rods and two double vermorel
nozzles. With this outfit. three men.
a team and a wagon. We usually spray
300 12-year-old trees in one day. But
l.
unclog nozzles. etc. and the spray pro-
duced is most satisfactory. To OBJ
tain good results from spraying the
materials to be used should be first
class and carefully compounded. As
l have eXperimenfted with the differ.
ent ingredients recommended. contin.
ues this writer in Farmers Review. |
find that the most effectual formula
is half pound of paris gree.A rl-ht
pounds Of blue vitriol and eight pounds
of lime TO 100 gallons OF water. In
preparing the mixture put 32 pounds
of blue vitriol in a burlap sack and
suspend it in a barrel containing 80
gallons OF water the day before 1t Is
to be used. so as to give it ample
time to thoroughly dissolve. ! then
slack eight pounds of fresh lime. and
when ready TO use it strain it into
another vessel and slack eight pounds
more TO be ready when wanted. !
next put half-pound of paris green
in three-fourths OF gallon Of water
and keep it thoroughly stirred until
ready for use the next day. The fol-
lowing morning when ready to begin
spraying | fill the cask almost full OF
water. leaving room. however. for the
ingredients. | then strain the lime
solution into the cask. next eight gall
Ions CT the blue vitriol solution and
lastly the paris green mixture. | then
put the ends of the pump hose. SO as
to pump the mixture back into the
cask. and run the pump for several
minutes in order to thoroughly mix
the entire solution. In spraying l ap-
ply the mixture with sufficient force
to reach every part OF the tree and
foliage. giving 4 fine moist spray until
the entire tree is well covered. which
is indicated by slight dropping of mix.
ture from the trees. | spray three
times each season. The first spray
ing is commenced just before the
blossom buds oIen in the spring. 4,
this time the canker worm. bud moth
leaf crumpler. leaf folder and cigar
case bearer are making preparations
TO begin their destructive work in the
orchard. As these insects are in theiI
infancy at this period. ii is the proper
time TO gain possession ahead OF them.
In spraying the second time begin
Just as soon as the petals OF the bios
SONS have dropped and make the third
spraying ten days later.