Hobtichlttjral Division. 345 



WHITEWASHING WITH THE SPRAYING PUMP. 



The use of Bordeaux mixture in the spraying pump suggests that 

 the machine can be used to good purpose in spraying whitewash upon 

 greenhouse roofs, barn basements and fences. We now apply all 

 the whitewash upon our larger glass roofs by means of a pump and 

 nozzle. The whitewash is made in the ordinary manner, of lime ahd 

 water, and is diluted to about the consistency of thin cream. If a 

 large surface is to be covered, especially if it is difficult to reach, 

 a direct delivery nozzle, like the Boss or a common discharge nozzle, 

 is used, and the operator stands several feet away. But if it is desired 

 to cover the surface evenly and neatly, the McGowen nozzle is most 

 satisfactory. 



A POTATO PRESERVER. 



Last spring a prominent seedsman sent us a sample of potatoes, cut 

 for planting, in very small pieces, and thickly coated with a white 

 powder. These tubers were obtained from a dealer in potato novelties 

 in the west, who said that he had discovered a material which would 

 prevent the pieces of tuber from shriveling, thus allowing the seeds- 

 man to cut away most of the flesh of the tuber and to send the lightest 

 possible bulk through the mails. A chemical examination of the 

 material, however, showed it to be only ordinary land-plaster (calcium 

 sulphate). Farmers often dust plcister over freshly cut seed-potatoes 

 for the purpose of absorbing the moisture and rendering the tubers 

 easier to handle ; and it is possible that the coating of plaster, when it 

 dries upon the tuber, may prevent the loss of moisture and delay 

 shriveling, but its advantage in this respect must be small. 



L. H. BAILEY. 



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