The Spraying of Orchards. 267 



in almost endless variety, and selections are often difficult. Pumps of 

 various descriptions have been tried at this station and the following 

 are some of the points which have been emphasized. 



The pump should be powerful. It requires double the amount of 

 exertion to apply a given amount of liquid with a small pump than is 

 necessary when one of ample size is used. In general, a pump used for 

 orchard work should have a cylinder at least two and one-half inches 

 in diameter, the stroke being from four to five inches in length. The 

 handle should be long, as greater power can then be obtained. Work- 

 ing parts which are exposed to the action of the materials applied 

 should be of brass, or else brass lined, for iron soon corrodes. The air 

 chamber should be rather small, especially if the pressure of the liquid 

 can be utilized in keeping the nozzle free from obstructions. In such 

 cases, the one who pumps should be able to increase the pressure of the 

 liquid in the nozzle by one or two quick strokes of the handle. A large 

 air chamber defeats this. The pump used in the following experiment 

 was the Gould " Standard " No. 2. It worked satisfactorily, but is 

 open to the objection of being rather small, especially when much work 

 has to be done. It is manufactured by the Gould Co., of Seneca Falls, 

 N. Y. 



Many pumps are supplied with agitators, but these have not proved 

 so satisfactory as was hoped. It was found that those which stirred 

 the liquid by means of a stream which was discharged from a return 

 pipe near the bottom of the barrel did not keep the liquid in the entire 

 barrel stirred, but only in that portion of it which came directly under 

 the influence of the current. Another objection to this class of agi- 

 tators is that too much power is lost. Paddles of various kinds have 

 been recommended. They are attached to the pump handle and with 

 each stroke pass through a certain portion of the liquid. These do 

 better work than the agitators mentioned above, but they also require 

 considerable power. No agitators were used in making the applications 

 mentioned in the following pages. The liquids were stirred with a 

 stick as often as was necessary, which was commonly before each tree 

 was begun. 



The Improved McGowen nozzle No. 7 is the one used throughout the 

 season. It is manufactured by John J. McGowen, of Ithaca, N. Y^ 

 The spray thrown is fine and forcible, and the nozzle gave no trouble 

 from clogging. The pump was fastened to a barrel which was turned 

 upon its side. The barrel was then placed in a light wagon and filled 

 through a hole about six inches square situated at one side of the pump. 

 The liquid was directed into it by means of a wooden funnel. Two 

 persons worked together in making the application ; one drove and 

 directed the spray, while the other pumped. 



