Smyrna times., 1929-05-29
MAIL ORCHARD SPRAY NOTES
"Cover Spray" is Most Important
For All Varieties of Apples


In the copies if the sixth edition
Of orchard spray notes, prepared By
Dr. ]. F. Adams, Plant PathoIogist
Of the University of Delaware and
the State Biard Of Agriculture, and
mailed from the office Of County
Agent Russell E. Wilson last week
the attention of the fruit growers
in Kent county was directed to the
second summer, OF "cover spray, =
which is the most important one
for all varieties Of apples, and
which Is associated with the emer-
gence Of the first brood If tie cod
ling moth. Adult emergence start
ed in some Of the observation cages
several days ago, But it is impos-
Sible to state just when the period
Will reach its maximum, AZ the cool
weather has resulted i'll a strag-
Cling emergence again this year.
With the assistance of II. u. Will
liams, Assistant Entomoligist, who
IL in charge Of tile Insectary at
Camden, q careful check, however.
is being maintained in the eleven
cages which were placed III the
orchards last October, and I'M
n cans Of this constant inspection
records are being obtained with ref-
erence to the dates of the life his
tory changes. The studies which
are also being conducted INV d.. Fl.
y. Dozier, Entomolist ut the Della
ware Experiment Station, show
that over fifty per cent of the adult
codling moths have emerged, with
the result that those growers who
desire 4 thorough protection from
this first brood should plan to have
all varieties of apples sprayed by
lhe end Of this week. Dry-mix is
recommended for this spray be-
cause III has less possibilities of
burning the foliage, or russeting
the fruit, as compared with the
commercial lime-sulphur solution.
In this cases, however, where the
growers continue to use the lime
sulphur, the strength can safely be
reduced to 3 ~ gallons to tie 200
gallons Of water. For the early
varieties Of apples 1T is recommend
ed that the arsenate Of lead he
used at the rate Of 8 pounds 70 200
gallons Of spray material, while
this amount may be increased to 8
pounds for the late varieties. In
addition to the control Of the cod
ling moth, the arsenate Of lead Is
also necessary as protection
against the curculio which is an
other very serious orchard pest.
Aside from the insect control pro-
gram, such diseases as bitter rot
and apple blotch must be consider
er at this season Of the year, ard
this so-called "cover spray" is also
the first important application for
these fungous troubles. In this
connection the growers are likewise
cautioned to not under estimate the
Importance of these pests at this
particular time since conditions are
very favorable for infection. In
those orchards where bitter dot ir
apple 5lotch have been prevalent,
the growers are advised to use
Bordeaux mixture at the rate of 3
pounds of copper sulphat, 5 pounds
of hydated lime, and 2 pounds of
arsenate of lead to so gallons Of
water for late varieties. while the
amount of lead should be reduced
to l 1-2 pounds for all early var
ieties. Those growers who are fol-
lowing a dust schedule should con-
tinue with a standard sulphur-ar-
senate lead-lime dust, and keep the
growth thoroughly protected. This
second summer spray is the last
application necessary for all early
varieties Of apples unless adverse
weather conditions should warrant
another spray, but Of course the
regular spray schedule must be fol-
lowed during the remainder Of the
season for all late varieties.