Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 107, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1914 — DILUTING LIMESULPHUR FOR SCALE CONTROL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DILUTING LIMESULPHUR FOR SCALE CONTROL

By M. W. RICHARDS,

Department of

Horticulture, Purdue University Experiment Station. Purdue University Agricultural Extension.

Lime-sulphur has become the standard remedy for the San Jose scale. It is a caustic compound and will kill only those insects which it actually strikes. Great care should be exercised in its dilution and application. Every barrel of lime-sulphur should ! be tested just as sooq, as purchased. This is done by means of an instrument known as the hydrometer. It is a glass spindle that floats upright when placed in liquids. The neck is graduated in two scales, the specific gravity scale and the Baume scale. The hydrometer is used to measure the density of liquids. When placed in pure water at 60 degree F. it reads 1 on the specific gravity scale and 0 degree on the Baume scale. In denser fluids theneek projects further above the surface, the reading at the surface always indicating the relative density of the fluid. A lime-sulphur hydrometer and glass testing cylinder costs about >l, and may be obtained through the local druggist or dealer in spray materials. To use, fill the glass cylinder with tho concentrated material, which may be either home-made or commercial. Drop the hydrometer into it and note reading at surface of liquid. Record this reading on the barrel head. When diluting for winter work consult the following table and dilute accordingly: When Hydrometer Use the following Reads. amounts lime-sul-phur to make 50 Degrees gals, of spray for Sp. Gr. Baume. scale control. 1.295 33 5 gal. 3 qt. 1.283 32 6 gal. 1.272 31 6 gal. 1 qt. 1.261 30 6 gal, 3 qt. 1.250 29 7 gal. 1.239 28 ' 7 gal. 1 qt. 1.229 27 7 gal. 3 qt. 1.218 26 8 gal. 1 qt. Example. The commercial concentrate from the barrel tests 32 on the Baume scale (the whole numbers), or 1.283 on the specific gravity scale (the decimal numbers. Find either one of these numbers in the column marked “when

hydrometer reads,” and then follow to the third column for winter spraying. Here note that when the hydrometer reads 32 degrees Baume it takes six gallons of lime-sulphur for every 50 gallons of spray made. The required amount of lime-sulphur is then drawn out, emptied into the barrel and enough water added to make 50 gallons. The winter strength spray should test about five degrees Baume, or 1.035 sp. gr., when ready for use after' diluting. Satisfactory commercial lime-sulphur should test from 30 degrees to 33 degrees Baume. Always dilute according to. the “strength” or density of the concentrated material. Guess work never brings satisfactory results. Lime-sul-phur applied too weak is lime-sulphur worse than wasted. Money, labor and time are lost —time being the most important of all, since one season’s extra growth for the scale may mean the death of the. tree. Dilute carefully and according to test and the limesulphur is bound to kill every scale it strikes.

The Lime-Sulphur Hydrometer and Cylinder Read 51/2 Degrees Baume.