456 AN ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 



CHAPTER V. 



MACHINERY. 



Having determined the character of an injurious insect and 

 the remedy to be appHed, it remains to decide the method in 

 which the appUcation is to be made ; and that necessitates some 

 information concerning pumps, nozzles, beUovvs, and the Hke. A 

 few years ago advice was easy, for the choice was restricted ; now 

 there are dozens of pumps, ranging from bucket to power 

 sprayers, and each farmer must be left to select that type of 

 machine most suitable to his needs. Indeed, matters have pro- 

 gressed so far that many fruit-growers order outfits of their own 

 design to suit their particular conditions. Consequently, only 

 general principles can now be offered under this heading, and the 

 first of all is that, whatever the outfit, be sure that it is amply 

 sufficient for the purpose intended. Thoroughness is essential to 

 a satisfactory result in any case, and that is unattainable with in- 

 adequate machinery. The pump should have the working parts 

 of brass, the valves metal, the handle so adjustable as to give the 

 maximum leverage for the stroke ; the air chamber should be of 

 good size to secure equality of pressure, and the whole should be 

 put together in such a way as to be easily taken apart for clean- 

 ing or repair, in case that becomes necessary. Simplicity and 

 power, — the maximum efl[ect with the minimum effort, — these are 

 the desiderata ! Too large a cylinder is not desirable, because 

 pressure rather than large capacity of discharge is desired. It is 

 better in all pumps of any size to provide for two discharge out- 

 lets, and half or three-quarter is better than full hose, because 

 the tubing can then be made both stronger and lighter. 



For ordinary spraying work, nothing is better than the Ver- 

 morel nozzle, or one embodying the principle of a rotary chamber; 

 and where a group of three is employed, a great ball of fine 

 spray can be produced that will cover a large surface in a very 

 short time. For geared machines used in the field to spray 

 several rows of potatoes or other crops at once, nozzles of the 

 Bordeaux type, throwing a flat spray, are better, because they 

 are more readily cleared when they clog. Such nozzles are also 



