SPRAYING IN NEBRASKA. 249 



orchards cantaining from 30 to 150 trees (about the size of 

 the average home orchard) ranging in age from 12 to 30 

 years, where the cost of all material and labor used in spray- 

 ing has been accounted for, the total cost per tree for each 

 application was from 4 to 8 cents. These trees were sprayed 

 four or five times, making a total cost for the season of from 

 20 to 40 cents per tree. All labor and team hire was charged 

 at the rate paid for such services in the locality. 



According to the above figures, the cost of spraying the 

 average home orchard of 100 trees five times would be about 

 |30. Of this cost the material for making the mixtures would 

 amount to $12 to |15 and the labor in mixing and applying 

 to from |15 to |18. Where the owner does not hire the work 

 done the actual outlay of money should not exceed $18 to $20. 

 The actual time consumed by two men in mixing and apply- 

 ing the sprays should not exceed one day for each application. 

 Large orchards can be sprayed proportionately, considerably 

 cheaper. 



One and sometimes two of the five applications, according 

 to the prevalence of insects and fungus diseases, may be dis- 

 pensed with in Nebraska. This, of course, would cut the cost 

 down accordingly. 



COST OF MATERIAL. 



Kecent quotations from manufacturers and jobbers of blue- 

 stone and arsenate of lead are: for bluestone $4.50 to $5 per 

 100 pounds; for arsenate of lead, in quantities, 7 to 9 cents 

 per pound. Where this material is bought of the local deal- 

 ers in small lots the purchaser will usually be asked to pay 

 from 25 to 50 per cent more than the prices quoted above. 

 Lime is quoted at $1 to $1.25 per barrel of 200 pounds. 



SPRAYING MACHINERY. 



The barrel pump outfit is probably more widely used and 

 gives better satisfaction on the small and medium sized or- 

 chards than any other type. A complete outfit consists of a 



