New York Agricultural Exterimext Station. 153 



Simply as an opinion, we will say that by spraying twice a 

 week we believe that young, rapid-growing shoots can be pro- 

 tected. That the apparent inability to get the mixture to adhere 

 to them is due to the rapid growth of the plants, a factor which 

 can be remedied by more frequent applications. 



Spraying alone cannot be expected to be profitable on fieljds 

 already reduced to one-third their original yielding capacity, nor 

 can it be expected to revive such fields. 



Basing a recommendation upon the results obtained combined 

 with observation and experience in spraying of asparagus, we 

 believe that it will pay all growers who have fields yielding 800 

 bunches and over per acre, to spray. In addition we would recom- 

 mend the planting of corn on all sides of the asparagus field as a 

 windbreak. Proper cultivation, fertilization and green manuring 

 or supplying humus in some other form, follow as common-sense 

 measures. 



Where growers have a number of acres tO' spray we would 

 recommend the construction of a power sprayer similar to the 

 one described in Part II. 



II. THE DOWNS POWER ASPARAGUS SPRAYER.* 



INTRODUCTION. 



In the chapter on asparagus rust it has been shown that spray- 

 ing asparagus is not an easy taisk. As has been stated, one of 

 the reasons set forth as a factor against spraying asparagus,' is 

 the lack of suitable machinery for doing the work. It was also 

 found to be a difficult matter for workmen to do the spraying by 

 hand with the thoroughness necessary to make it of much value. 

 In fact lack of thoroughness means complete loss of time and 

 materials, for after the rust gains a foothold within the plant, 

 spraying is of little value. Lack of thoroughness does not neces- 



*As it is impossible for the writer ever to repay Mr. Arthur L. Downs, 

 not only for boai'ing part of the expense, such as furnishing wheels, tank 

 and truck, for the power sprayer, but for aid furnished in designing and 

 putting into working order the above named machine, it is proposed that 

 this be known as the Downs Power Asparagus Sprayei*. 



