St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-07-21
SUGGESTIONS FOR SPRAYING.
Best Methods For Obtaining Healthy
Shrubs Fully Explained.

One of the first requisites toward
success in spraying trees is good and
complete outfit. One of the best con-
sists of a $50 gallon can, which rests
on its side in a rack to hold it in place;
q strong force pump with an auto
matte stiIrer, two sections of half inch
hose sixteen feet long, two ten-foot
extension rods and two double YER
morel nozzles.
With this outfit, three men, team
and wagon 300 twelve-year-old trees
can be sprayed in one day.
1t is of the utmost Importance that
the materials used be first class and
carefully compounded. The most eff
fectual formula is three-fourths Of a
pound Of paris green, twelve pounds
of blue vitriol and twelve pounds of
fresh air slaked lime to $50 gallons of
water.
In preparing the mixture put thirty
six pounds of blue vitriol in a burlap
sack and suspend it in a barrel con-
tanning thirty-six gallons of water the
day before it is to be used, in order to
give it ample time to thoroughly dis
solve.
Stake twelve pounds of fresh lime,
and when ready to use it strain 1t into
another vessel, and slake twelve
70 hn NJ
ed. Next put three-fourths Of pound
Of paris green in one gallon Of water
and keep it thoroughly stirred until
ready to use the next day.
The following 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
twelve gallons of blue vitriol solution
and lastly the paris green mixture.
Place the ends of the pump hose so
as to pump the mixture back into the
cask and run the pump several min
utes in order to thoroughly mix the
entire solution.
In spraying apply the mixture with
sufficient force to reach every part of
the tree and foliage, giving a fine,
misty spray until the tree is we'll COW
cred. which is indicated by slight
droppings Of the mixture from the
trees. Make it a practice to spray
three times each season.
The first spraying is commenced just
before the blossom buds open in the
spring 1t is at this time that the
cankerworm, bud moth, leaf crumpler,
leaf folder and cigar case borer are
making preparations to begin their
destructive work in the orchard.
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.
The second spraying is the most i'm.
portant Of all, as almost every pest by
this time is doing ravenous work.
OF all the enemies of tree fruit cul-
ture the codling moth is the most de-
structive. 1t lays its eggs in the calyx
or blossom end of the forming apple
or pear, and in a few days the egg
matches and the tiny worm eats its
way into the fruit.
About the only way any beneficial
results can be obtained from spraying
for this pest is to spray while the
calyx is expanded and while the form
ing fruit is standing upward upon its
stem. If the spraying is neglected I'M
til the calyx closes and the fruit has
turned downward most of the insects
will be inside the fruit. and spraying
then will be of little benefit.
1t is essential to spray thoroughly
from both sides Of the trees and posi-
lively not against the wind, even
though the wind may seem light.
1t is evident that If part of the
foliage Of the tree is not sprayed the
unsprayed parts are as open to the at
tack Of fungous spores and the stings
Of the curculio as though there had
been no spray within mile Of the
tree.