Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-03-01
SPRAYING AND SPRAY MIXTURES

As there is no royal road TO learning
there is no easy by-path TO overcoming
the natural obstacles which nature
throws across mans pathway. Let us,
therefore. acquire as much information
as We possibly can concerning the use
Of spraying materials and use them in
the most effective manner possible for
the protection Of our orchards and gar
dcns this spring.
To insure success It is first necessary
10 determine the insect or disease
which may be causing the trouble,
which means to know its life history.
without this information one could not
attack the problem with any likelihood
OF success. Then the materials used
must be prepared with great skill and
care. for if they are not properly mixed
they will prove ineffective. Thousands
of farmers who have tried to use spray
materials have condemned them be-
cause of some defect in the manage
ment Be careful, therefore, to follow
instructions very specifically. and if in
doubt, write to some institution where
you can secure reliable advice. Choose
only the best materials on the market
There are many grades; the cheapest
are generally dear at any price because
they are low in strength and may
sometimes be adulterated to a consid-
cradle extent In using sprays on any
considerable scale, it is necessary to
purchase some sort of apparatus which
viii enable a uniform and thorough
treatment Of the trees or vegetables
which it is desired to protect This
apparatus should be capable of develop
ing a considerable amount of pressure,
or else the Work will not be done. sat
isfactOrily. The need OF pressure is
evident TO all who have seen, for in
stance. medium-sized peach tree
treated. The spray must reach TO
considerable height, and must be driven
with sufficient force TO cover every part
effectively. 1t is also necessary that
the applications be made at the right
time. The complete covering of the
tree or plant is a matter of the utmost
Importance. II just a few stalks or
leaves be overlooked. enough of the
insects or Of the particular fungous
in question may escape destruction to
reintest not only the whole tree, but
the orchard as well. Few people re-
alize how rapidly insects and fungous
diseases multiply, and how quickly they
are spread by biros and a dozen other
agencies.
Among the best known insecticides
are the following: Kerosene emulsion,
arsenate Of lead, soap emulsion, and
selfboiled lime sulphur, Bordeaux mix
ture and fOrmalin are the best. Two
combination sprays are sometimes used,
known respectively as the Bordeaux
arsenate mixture, and the self-boiled
lime sulphur-arsenate mixture.
Kerosene emulsion is prepared as fol-
lows: Water. one gallon, hard soap,
one-half pound, kerosene oil, one quart.
Rain water should be used If possible.
If hard water is used add sufficient
boTaX 10 make it soft. Heat the water
and shave the soap into thin pieces into
il. Dissolve the soap thoroughly; pour
the oil into the mixture and churn a
half hour. Dilute before using; for a
per cent emulsion add two and a half
gallons Of water: for an per cent 500
luton add two gallons.
Arsenate of lead is prepared as fol-
lows: Take two pounds Of arsenate of
lead, two pounds OF unslaked lime, and
so gallons of water. Dissolve the lead
in a small amount of water and add
the whole to sufficient water to make
so gallons. Keep thoroughly agitated
while spraying.
In preparing soap emulsion use five
or six pounds Of soap to so gallons OF
water. Hard water should be softened
with borax. Cut the soap into. small
pieces and dissolve in the water. Churn
until an emulsion is formed.
Boiled lime-sulphur wash may be
prepared by the following formula:
Take 20 pounds of unslaked lime Is
pounds of sulphur, and so gallons Of
water. Form a paste with the sulphur
bv adding water. Stake the lime in
few gallons Of hot water. Add the sui
phur paste TO the mixture of lime and
water. Dilute to ten gallons. with wa