Z^ State Horticultural Society. 



It should be understood that the greater part of the benfits of spray- 

 ing come the following year. 



A. V. Shermerhorn, 



Kinmundy, Illinois. 



SPRAYING. 



(Read at the Arkansas State Horticultural Meeting, C. H. Dutclier Warrensburg. ) 



The importance of spraying can not be overestimated. A few fully 

 realize this, and have agitated the subject much in the last ten years; yet 

 many fruit growers are not properly aroused to its importance. Why? 

 Ever since the days of Patrick Henry — how much longer I know not — 

 it has been natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope. Indeed, 

 after so many years of agitation on this subject, the printing of so many 

 papers in our reports, the publishing of so many articles in our journals, 

 we are impressed with the fact that many of us are apt to shut our eyes 

 against a painful truth, and listen to- the song of some siren that tells 

 us not this year — the bugs may all be gone next — not this time — you have 

 seen as good apples and as good orchards that were never sprayed as 

 those produced by your neighbors who have sprayed, and sprayed again, 

 almost from the time the trees were set out. 



Is this the part of wise men? Do you not know that that very 

 spraying, that expenditure of some money and much muscle, if they 

 used the liquid spray pump, fully accounts for your good orchard, and 

 apples? Such men are simply parasites upon those engaged in a great 

 and arduous struggle that every family in the land may have a reason- 

 able supply of good and wholesome fruit upon their tables. You are 

 disposed to be of the number of those who having eyes see not, and 

 having ears hear not the things which so nearly concern our debilitated 

 digestive organs, and a deranged and gorged condition of the liver — 

 much of which can be and should be prevented by a sufficient supply of 

 well matured and properly cared for fruit. 



Do you hope each year that this will be the last of the bugs? This 

 is surely "indulging in illusions of hope." The enemy is upon us. In 

 great numbers they are swarming round about us. We have fungi 

 here and fungi there — and then more fungi. On this limb and upon that 

 ■ — a few here and more there ; and this will continue as long as heat and 

 moisture prevail upon the earth. Today the tree is smooth and bright 

 and healthy, and the buds are swelling — but tomorrow, behold! The 



