North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[mauch1@aol.com]

 <<How did anything ever survive before the discovery of chemical sprays?>>

 

Well at least in the case of apples, before the advent of organophosphates, I believe many

were spraying something like lead-arsenate.

 

Before the development of those sprays (i.e. pre 20th? Century) I'm not sure what was used.

As noted we've had some recent bug imports which make the problems more difficult.  I think

pre-Prohibition most apples were processed or made into cider.

 

Anyone have more accurate information?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris Mauchline
SE PA, zone 6
40° 5' N 75° 51'W
~650 ft elevation