PREPARATION OF SPRAYING MATERIAL TIME: JUST BEFORE TIME FOR SPRAYING Object: To learn how to prepare Bordeaux mixture, Paris green, kerosene emulsion, and lime-sulphur wash. DIRECTIONS 1. Bordeaux mixture: Prepare the mixture as follows: Copper sulphate (blue vitriol), 4 pounds. Water, 50 gallons. Hang the copper sulphate in a burlap bag which dips a few inches below the surface of 25 gallons. of the water in a barrel. In another barrel slake the lime with a little water and when done add the balance of the water; stir and strain. Pour the two solutions together either through hose or from two pails held near each other and poured from simultaneously so the two streams mix as they fall and continue to do so in the barrel. If Bordeaux is to be used on peach foliage, add 25 more gallons of water. 2. Paris green: For apples and pears: 1 pound of Paris green, 2 pounds lime, 150 gallons of water. For plum and cherry: I pound of Paris green, 2 pounds lime, 300 gallons of water. For potato beetle : I pound Paris green, 60 gallons of water. Paris green should not be used on peach foliage. Mix the Paris green in a cup with a little water, until it is like paste. If added dry to the water it will float. 3. Kerosene emulsion: For kerosene emulsion use the following ingredients: Kerosene (coal oil), 2 gallons. Rain water, I gallon. Soap, 1⁄2 pound. Dissolve the soap in boiling water; remove from the fire and while hot pour in the kerosene. Churn briskly for five minutes. Before using dilute with six to nine parts of water. 4. Lime-sulphur wash: Lime, 15 pounds. Water, 50 gallons. Slake the lime with hot water, then add water till it makes a thin whitewash. Blend the sulphur with water into a thin paste; add to the whitewash and mix thoroughly. Boil one hour, or until the mixture is of a brick-red color, stirring frequently to keep it from caking on the side of the vessel. Dilute to 50 gallons and bring to a boil again; strain it boiling hot through a wire screen and apply as hot as possible. STUDY OF SPRAYING CALENDAR TIME: WHENEVER CONVENIENT Object: To learn how to combat insect pests and plant diseases. DIRECTIONS Study well the table given in this exercise, so that you may know when, how, and for what to spray. * Cut affected branches back to sound wood and burn them. Keep tools disinfected by wiping with cloth saturated with kerosene, PREPARATION OF HERBARIUM SPECIMENS TIME: SPRING TERM Object: To learn how to prepare plants for the herbarium. Material needed: Newspapers, carpet paper, scissors, note-book. DIRECTIONS 1. In preparing herbarium specimens, use driers made of ordinary carpet paper, cut into sheets 12 by 18 inches. Place each plant in a folder made of newspaper, and alternate with the driers. 2. Place upon the pack a plank of the same size as the driers, and subject the whole to a pressure of 50 to 100 pounds by means of blocks of wood, or stones. 3. The driers must be replaced by dry ones daily during the first four or five days, and after that at longer intervals for a week or ten days, until the specimens are dry. In changing the driers simply shift the folders containing the plants from one set of driers to dry ones. 4. When the specimens are dry, fasten them to stiff white paper by means of strips of gummed paper. Place a label bearing the name, place, date of collecting, and collector's name in the lower righthand corner. 5. Collect all the different weeds of the farm, dry, mount, label, and keep for future reference. Absorption-The process of taking in substances, as a sponge drinking in water. Acid-A chemical compound sour to the taste, capable of turning blue litmus paper red. Alkaline-Alkaline substances are not sour, have a soapy taste, and turn reddened litmus paper blue. Ammonia-A chemical combination of hydrogen and nitrogen. Ash-The material left after the burning of organic substances. Assimilate-To convert into the tissues of the plant or of the animal. Bacteria-Minute plants frequently present in fermentation, decay, and disease. They thrive in the nodules found on the roots of clover, alfalfa, cow-peas, etc. Balanced ration-A feed containing the proper proportion of protein and carbohydrates. Barren-Not fruitful. Calcium carbonate-Limestone; a combination of carbonic acid gas and calcium. Calyx-A whorl of green leaves at the base of the flower. Capillary-Applied to very minute tubes or pore spaces through which liquids may move. Carbohydrates-Foods which include starch, the sugars, and cellulose. They are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbon dioxide-Sometimes called carbonic acid gas; composed of oxygen and carbon. Cereals Crops which are grown for their grain. Chemical change-A change in which a new substance is formed. Clay-The finest of soil particles; a combination of silica, alumina, and water. Combustion-The act of burning. Condensation-The process of changing gases or vapors to the liquid state. |