Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-19
An amateur photographer, If he is

An amateur photographer, II he Is
reasonably careful, can save money
and secure equally satisfactory re-
suits if he purchases the necessary
chemicals in quantity and prepares his
own developers and other solutions,
but he very seldom does this. 1t is
more convenient to buy a little glass
vial which contains just the right in
gradients to mix with a given quantity
Of water to give the proper strength
of solution. For this convenience he is
willing to and does pay decided pre-
MUM. The same thing is true in a
measure with reference to the pur-
chase Of chemical fertilizers. Similar
examples, almost without number,
might be cited with regard to various
articles and substances in general use
Manufacturers of materials used in the
preparation of insecticidal and fungi
cidal sprays have not been slow to ap-
preciate and take advantage of this
trait of human nature.
On account Of real or supposed diff
culties attendant upon the manufac-
ture of concentrated lime -sulphur So
luton at home it has come to be the
common practice in Maine to purchase
the material already prepared. Except
for the added cost there is no particu-
lar objection to this for, unlike the
numerous forms Of readymade Dor
deaux mixture which have appeared
from time to time, the various brands
of concentrated lime-sulphur put out
by reliable concerns appear to be equal
to the best of the home made goods.
However, every time an orchardiSt
purchases rather than makes his lime
sulphur concentrate he pays freight
from Boston, New York, Baltimore or
some other more distant point upon
from one-fortieth to one-tenth of all
the water used in his spray. In the
case of a large orchard this is an item
of expense of considerable Importance.
From the above it is apparent that
any concern which can simplify mat
tiers in the same way that the manufac-
turers of Photographic goods have
succeeded in doing with their develop
erS and can place on the market a
lime sulphur concentrate with all the
water removed or can furnish some
other form Of dry powder or paste
which is equally as satisfactory as a
fungicide will thereby secure a dis
tinct advantage over its competitors.
The first proposition so far has not
proved practicable but there are pow
der and paste substitutes on the mar
ket. 1t is not the practice of nor within
the province of the Maine Agricultural
Experiment Station to conduct tests of
proprietary articles of this nature but
on account Of the distinct advantages
h ;rh rot tod ta,.i
ais appeared 10 offer, provided they
could substantiate the claims which
their manufacturers made for them, it
seemed advisable to include some Of
them in the spraying experiments con-
Quoted at Highmoor Farm.
In 1918 two different brands were
used. One of these was in the form of
moist paste and apparently had a
large amount of very finely divided
sulphur but gave off a distinct odor of
hydrogen sulphide resembling the
smell of stale eggs. The other consist
ed of a dry, yellowish powder which
appears to be largely sodium sulphide.
While the manufacturers made no
statements in the literature which they
sent out claiming that such was the
case many of the purchasers of this
latter compound in Maine in 1913 sup
posed that it was identical with lime
sulphur solution with the water re-
moved.
The paste was used at the rate of 4
pounds to so gallons of water and the
powder at the rate of pounds to so
gallons. One pound of dry arsenate of
lead was also added to control insect
pests. Three applications were made,
one just as the blossoms were show
ing pink, one after the petals fell, and
another about three weeks later
The plot sprayed with the fine sulphur
paste showed no foliage injury and
white scab was well controlled on the
leaves throughout the season. On the
other hand while the powdered materi-
al was efficient in controlling scab il
produced when used as above describ-
ed in combination with the arsenate of
lead very decided injury to the foliage
This began to appear shortly after
June when the second application of
the sprays was made and consisted of
spotting and more or less browning of
the margins OF the leaves. After the
third application this injury developed
quite rapidly and by July from Is to 80