Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-11-26

ing 10 recent lnNeStlSatlOnS the au-
dition of greater quantity OF lime
than is sufficient to neutralize the
copper sulphate and render 1t slight
ly alkaline interferes with the efficl-
ency OF the mixture as a fungicide.
Since any excess OF lime tends to re-
tard the fungicidal action of the mix
ture, II should never be added except
for the purpose of protecting foliage
and fruit. The claim has been made
that an excess of lime adds to the
adhesive qualities OF bordeaux mix
ture, but very careful experiments
have shown that this is not the case;
/ as a matter OF fact. the best adhesive
mixture results when two parts OF
bluestone to one part of lime, by
weight. are used. II must be under
stood, however, that the lime, as
well as the copper sulphate, must
be of the very best quality for max
ing bordeaux as indicated above.
In conclusion the writer suggests
that the $3.50 formula had best be
the one for use in fall spraying ex-
cept where the trees are badly dis
eased, when the 6-4-50, or, $3.50
formulae should be used. After the
trees are cleaned up, the weaker
formula may be used. II is true that
considerable excess OF lime Is used
In this formula, but, since most of
the lines are far from being pure
calcium lines and are often liable
to be partly air-slaked, the amount
of lime actually present In the mix
ture will be somewhat less than in
dicated by the formula. Careful
spraying tests have shown that n
bordeaux of double the above
strength did not prove any more ef-
fective, and that where an excess Of
lime was used, the results were
never so good. II is not so much a
matter OF the strength OF bordeaux
mixture, but rather the time of ap-
plicatlon and the thoroughness which
the work of spraying Is done
II is fact known to the fruit
growers OF Rogue River valley that
the fungus pests have been steadily
increasing In the valley ever since
they were brought in on infested
nursery stock and by other means.
Even after II was found that bor-
deaux mixture was sure death to
them and thorough campaign was
inaugurated the pest has continued
to increase until II Is now a serious
menace In many orchards, being es-
pecially destructive to apple and
peach trees.
This failure to control the fungus
pests is not confined to Rogue River
valley, but is common In all the fruit
districts Of the United States, In
vestigation by the department OF
Agriculture and by many OF the
agricultural colleges has proven that
this trouble OF the fruit growers Is
due to two causes. One Is that they
do not properly make the bordeaux
and the other Is that they do not
properly apply It. II was found that
the bluestone and the lime must be
pure and both chemicals must be OF
known strength so that they may be
mixed In perfect chemical union
hat Is essential in securing stronl
'olutlon. Since the fruit growers hav,
heen using Rogue River lime M
rouble has been had with that In
redient for the local lime Is pure
nd far superior to that from Puge
sound or the East. But the sulphat'
+ copper, or hluestone, has cause'
much trouble for so much OF II con
aims sulphate OF iron. A small pc
] ont Of iron will render the blueston
iseless for spray purposes.
No iron receptacles or pipes ca
1e used In the making or using o
r he mixture and this has been an
9 other cause OF failure TO some frul
y rrowers. The method OF mixing ha
r heen the greatest cause Of failure @
q III. Then in the time and manne
" spraying more cause for fallur
), vas made. Most Of the spraying ha
= been done late In the fall and th
:. rees we're not thoroughly cleaned {
i rough bark and moss so that III
l. Dray could penetrate all the lntel
a itIces II is during October and eal
;, " November that the spores OF th
l. fungll ripeD and II Is only then thu
3 Effective spraying can be done. A
i ter the rainy season has set In II
IS useless to spray n the trunl
J. and limbs have not been thorough
II cleaned OF rough bark and mos
X This Is especially true In flghtin
- anthracnose for that disease rougl
e sns the bark 10 such an extent thi
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