LIME-SULPHUR AS A SUMMER SPRAY.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 4, 15 April 1913, Page 408

LIME-SULPHUR AS A SUMMER SPRAY.

T. W. Kirk, F.L.S.

This mixture has been spoken very highly of in other countries, and has been somewhat extensively tried in New Zealand during the past season, in some instances with deplorable results. Each Orchard Instructor was therefore requested to report as to whether growers in his district ■ had suffered through the use of this spray damaging their trees. The following is a digest of their replies :• — J. W. Collard, Whangarei.—Not aware of anybody using it. • N. R. Pierce, Auckland.—Not aware of anybody using it. 1 ' W. 0. Thompson, Auckland.—Have not seen or heard of any serious damage, but have noticed more or less severe russeting in several instances. W. R. L. Williams, Auckland. Have not come across any damage yet. Very little, if any, of the spray has been used in this district. T. E. Rodda, Hamilton.-Not used to any great extent. Any damage done seems to have been caused by adding arsenate of lead and by improper agitation. J. A. Campbell, Hastings.ln some cases serious damage has occurred, while in others very little has been reported. In one orchard a tenth of the leaves and half the fruit have fallen. Good work has been done in controlling pests. More damage seems to have been done by the weaker mixtures than by the stronger. J W. 0. Hyde, Wanganui.—To my knowledge no orchardists have used it in this district. . ■ ‘ G. Stratford, Palmerston North.-One grower estimates the damage at £2OO on Sturmers and Washingtons alone. Some trees have been wholly defoliated, and most of fruit has dropped. Another orchard looks as though fire has gone through it, and the best part of the crop was lost. T. C. Webb, Wellington.—-To my knowledge no orchardists have used the spray in this district. J. H. Thorp, Nelson.—A good deal of damage has been done to orchards, foliage and fruit dropping heavily. Very little good seems to have been done in controlling black-spot. Apparently most damage has been done by weaker solutions. ' W. J. Courtier, Christchurch. Only one specific case of damage has been reported in this district. The fruit and leaves were badly burnt. Very little used. ’ E. A. Reid, Christchurch.—No experiments have been carried out with the spray in this district. ' A. B. Mansfield, Timaru.Very, little damage has been reported. In one case, however, some varieties were badly burned. The spray seems to leave a caustic action behind, causing the bark to roughen and shed. ' W. T. Goodwin, Dunedin.—Am not aware of any damage having been done in this district.' ;' r ' A

In the experiments to determine the influence of manures on the feedingvalue of pastures at Ruakura Farm of Instruction superphosphate is still at the top, followed in order of merit by basic superphosphate, basic slag, and no manure.