LIME-SULPHUR AS A SUMMER SPRAY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 24, Issue 17, 4 March 1913, Page 7

LIME-SULPHUR AS A SUMMER SPRAY.

At the present time there is ho topic of such, general interest in connection with the summer spraying of fruit-trees as that of the use ox the lime-sulphur preparations for controlling fungous diseases. Bordeaux mixture has for years been recognised as the only effective means by t which the. many fuigous diseases could be combated. However, Ihure was always the fear add chance of in’ury, not only to the foliage, but also to the fruit. This '.nmry was more particularly 'noticeable in the case of tender varieties of apples, and in the cooler districts, where the raim foil was frequent and fogs were likely to be met with at the time the application of spray was made. It has been proved beyond doubt that rain following soon after the application of mixture is more than likely to induce russetting of the fruit. In the case of peach-trees sprayed when in foliage with Bordeaux for fungous diseases, it has been found to seriously shothole the leaves. As is well known, most of our fungous diseases are of greater severity when the weather is moist and muggy, and in low-lying, damp situations. This fact, therefore, places the injurious factor beyond our control when using Bordeaux mixture on the stone and porno fruits. The spores of the fungus germinate and infection takes place only in the presence of moisture. Where the fungous disease has got a good hold it will no doubt continue, regardless of any spray that might be applied the day after the rain. This, of course, is a most important point to he remembered, as some growers are inclined to wait until after the rain is over, the purpose of the application of .the spray will be defeated. We have, therefore, been in want of a fungicide that could be applied when it is most needed without causing any injury. So far, our investigations seem to indicate strongly that some form of lime-sulphur preparation wjill in the near future satisfy the demand. No spraying compound was ever put to so severe a test, and none so strongly condemned, not so much because of its being inefficient as because of its disagreeable features—viz., its odour and its caustic nature. As a winter dressing for deciduous fruit-trees its good qualities are well known, but it is for the summer spraying that

we have been go anxious to secure a reliable wash. At Bathurst, Capertec, and Penrose, the commercial concentrated lime-sulphur solution has been used this season for controlling the “black spat” of the apple, and, from my observations of the result, I feel confident that this spray has come to stay. Another feature of great value is the fact that the lime-sulphur can be applied mixed with arsenate of lead, and with excellent results. The concentrated lime-sulphur solution in paste form can be purchased at Gibbons’s ready made up, it being only necessary to dilute the mixture with water. The advantage of this, of course, is that the grower has not to buy the ingredients, nor prepare them by cooking. The fact of being able to secure the spray chemically prepared in this way perhaps means the securing of better results from its use, as it is generally known that lime-sulphur is liable to be cooked differently when each vat is prepared.—W. J. Allen, in “Agricultural Gazette,” N.S.W.