REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 115 



the varieties treated and the percentage of yield of fruit of the different grades after 

 being carefully sorted. Mr. Woolverton's table also shows the relative percentage of 

 windfalls in both series. Having these figures, the deductions which appear in Tables 

 III. to X. inclusive, are drawn therefrom in order to present the results in a clearer and 

 more convincing manner. In Table XI. is presented the combined and averaged results 

 of all experiments, and the percentage of gain in yield of fruit of the sprayed over the 

 unsprayed trees. This table shows that the sprayed trees yielded 24 per cent more of 

 first-class fruit and 6 per cent and 18 per cent less, respectively, of second and third 

 class. 



The effect of the improvement in quality alone upon the gross receipts from an acre 

 of bearing apple trees may be shown as follows : — Supposing the. yield to be 50 barrels, we 

 find according to results gained that spraying would give us $56.75 worth of No. 1 

 fruit, $31.50 worth of seconds, and $6.97 of thirds, or a total of $95.22 per acre. The 

 same unsprayed would give No. 1 fruit $26.75 worth, $37 worth of seconds and $13.64 

 worth of thirds, or a total of $77.40, leaving a balance of $17.82 in favour of the spray- 

 ed per acre. This is also supposing that all the " seconds " and " thirds " could be dis- 

 posed of, which is very problematical. The cost of spraying an acre of apple trees five 

 times with dilute Bordeaux mixture need not exceed $6.00 and may be under $5.00 ; 

 there should be a net profit of $10.00 on the basis of equal yields, but improved quality. 

 But as a result of these experiments, and looking now at spraying as affecting the yield, 

 we find that the sprayed trees gave 74*14 per cent of the total yield, this return added 

 to the improved quality of the fruit, gives a difference in the net receipts of $51.53 in 

 favour of the sprayed acre. I do not think this side of the argument need be pushed 

 farther, though it would probably prove interesting to know the effect of this on the 

 crop of the province. Each grower will find it to his interest, however, to make a cal- 

 culation for his own satisfaction on this basis. 



EQUIPMENTS FOR SPRAYING. 



Where the area to be sprayed exceeds 15 acres it will probably pay to buy 

 a horse power pump. These are now made by several firms dealing in force pumps. 

 One which I have used with satisfaction at Ottawa during the past season was pur- 

 chased from the Field Force Pump Co., of Lockport, N. Y. 



Where a barrel is used — and I may say that one of these will answer the require- 

 ments of all having 15 acres or less to spray — a strong force pump should be secured. 

 The valves and inside working parts should be of brass, the metal chambers and all 

 castings strong and heavy, and the packing of the most durable character Nothing is 

 more annoying, and nothing acts more as deterrent to the introduction of the practice 

 of spraying, than the " breakdowns " which occur with irritating frequency at the be- 

 ginning of the work each year. This matter has been represented so strongly to Can- 

 adian firms that I believe satisfactory pumps will be forthcoming next season. I have 

 used with good results pumps manufactured by the Toronto Pump Co., and the Goold, 

 Shapley, Muir Co., of Brantford, Ont., although the first " Ideal " pumps manufactured 

 by the latter firm showed defect under strong pressure, these, I believe, have been 

 remedied. Holmes and Holladay, Clarksburg, Ont., also manufacture a strong force 

 pump suitable for fitting into a barrel. Each pump should be supplied with two lines 

 of hose, the lengths proportionate to the height of the trees, and each hose fitted with 

 a stop-cock. In cases of clogging the stop-cock will always be appreciated. The nozzles 

 which gave greatest satisfaction were the " Vermorel " and the " McGowen," the latter 

 is most economical of fluid and should be used exclusively when the trees are small, 

 or upon the lower branches. The McGowen is a valuable instrument for carrying the 

 liquid to the upper branches with a minimum degree of waste. A bamboo pole, through 

 which a brass tube may be inserted, is an improvement over an ordinary pole for the 

 purpose of elevating the nozzle. I wish to impress upon fruit growers the desirability 

 of beginning the season's work with apparatus fully equipped and in good working 

 order, as the ease with which the applications are made influences to a large extent the 

 thoroughness of the work, and upon the thoroughness will depend in a large measure 

 the success attending the undertaking. 

 8c— 8i 



