Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-06-28
USE Of SPRAY
MIXTURES URGED
viii Greatly Less on Losses From
Plant Diseases.
MUST BE PROP ERLY MIXED
Some Practical Directions Given Fo'
Preparing LIme-sulphur and
Bordeaux Mixture.


ducer of farm and truck crops anected
BY plant diseases 10 taking unusual
precautions to prevent the appear
ance and spread Of disease. Forum
ately, most diseases can be prevented
or checked by two or three simple
spray mixtures that can be prepared
and applied by the grower. In warn
ing issued by the Maryland Agricul
tural Extension Service, through Its
county demonstration agents, c. f.
Temple, State Plant Pathologist, gives
some most practical directions regard
ing the homo preparation OF spray
mixtures, Prof, Temple says; every
year, thousands Of dollars worth OF
food materials In our State are de-
stroyed by plant diseases and insects.
This great loss can be cut down at
relatively small cost by the use OF ap'
proved precautionary methods, such as
the selection Of seed free from disease.
the rotation of crops and the spraying
for both diseases and insects.
Directions for making the more
important fungicides are given below:
sslfBoiIsd Lime-suIphur.
This material II used for the con-
troll Of rot and scab on stone fruits
such a. peaches, plums and cherries.
1t is composed Of:
blowers of Sulphur (hnely eround)
8 pounds,
"stons Lime Of good quality s
pounds,
Water, 80 gallons,
ITO make this spray material, start
the lime to shaking In 4 hfty-gallon
container with little water, using
hot water II the lime acts slowly. AS
soon as the lime begins to slake rap
idly, add the sulphur and stir contin'
uously. Add Just enough water from
time to time to keep the mixture IN
the form Of a thin paste and to allow
the mixture to boil violently from
three to Ave minutes. At the end OF
this time. fill the container with cold
water 80 as to prevent any further
action of the lime. The mixture Is
now ready to strain into the spray
tank. Larger quantities may be made
in the case OF commercial orchardists,
but greater care will be required to
prevent the mixture from becoming
too hot in which case the sulphur will
be dissolved and there will be a red
scum formed on the surface after the
mixture has been allowed to stand for
4 few minutes. This red material will
injure the foliage and fruits Of peaches
and plums. When applying this spray,
good agitation is essential.
AS substitute for this homemade
spray material atomic sulphur, which
10 commercial product, may be used
ut the rate Of Ave pounds to 80 gal.
Ions OF water,
Concentrated Lins-sulphur.
This material is usually purchased
in the concentrated form which usu'
ally tests 80 to "a degrees Baume
scale. This solution when diluted to
one part to 40 parts of water. makes
a good fungicide for spraying apples.
pears and ounces for various flung
Gus diseases.
Bordeaux Mixture.
This is the standard spray for
truck crops. potatoes, tomatoes, grapes
and for apples In the case Of bitter rot
and blotch. The material is made
from:
Cooper Sulphate (Bluestone), 4
pounds.
"stone Lime of good quality. 1
pounds.
Water, so gallons.
I'm making the spray material dis
solve the bluestone by suspending 1t
in a bag near the surface Of a few
gallons Of water contained in q wooden
or earthen vessel. Stake the lime and
add several gallons Of water so as to
make milk of lime. Strain the blue
stone solution into the spray tank and
add enough water TO make from 20
to 80 gallons, Then strain the milk
Of lime into the barrel, agttatins the
mixture vigorously. Add water to
make so gallons and use Immediately.
The secret In making good Bordeaux
10 to have the bluestons and the milk
of lime fairly we'll diluted before put
ting them together and then while they
are being brought together they should
be stirred continuously. II concen.
trated solutions are put together, a
very poor grade OF Bordeaux Is the
result.
stock solutions may be made by
dissolving bluestone the rate of one
pound per gallon Of water. Stake the
lime and dilute to one pound to the
gallon. These will keep indefinitely
If kept separate. but they should be
covered to keep the water from evap,
Grating. When using them, mix &C
cording to the formula above. Pre-
pared Bordeaux, both dry and paste,
is on the market and may be substi
tuted for the homemade mixture. Con.
suit your County Demonstration Agent
regarding the details OF preparing any
Of the above mixtures.