108 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 1 



cover expenses in spraying ordinary trees, but the cost, of course, 

 depended upon the size of the trees, their accessibility and the num- 

 ber at one place. In some cases a greater charge was made, but 10c 

 was about the average. I may add that no complaint was made with 

 any charges imposed and where there is a small orchard to be treated, 

 <i charge of 5c per tree will cover costs. 



The citation of the work of this sprayer can not be taken as what 

 a similar rig can do under ordinary or favorable conditions, as there 

 were many obstacles which entered into its operation to prevent max- 

 imum work. 



The operation of the three in different parts of the state demon- 

 strated that they filled a long-felt want and that the public sprayer 

 could be conducted without expense to the department. They were 

 popular in each district operated and there is a demand for many 

 more in other parts of the state this coming season. Our aim in in- 

 augurating this work was first to afford immediate relief in the 

 treatment of trees that otherwise would have been killed or served 

 as distributing agencies for these pests, and second to demonstrate 

 to our people that a public sprayer can be conducted on business 

 principles; with the final aim and desire that private persons would 

 relieve the department by taking over these spraying outfits and 

 conducting the work as a private business. This was the result with 

 one of the outfits started last spring. The man having charge of it 

 desires to conduct it privately this winter and spring. 



The question is asked: That in states where the San Jose, oyster 

 shell and other scale insects or other important pests to our fruit or 

 shade trees as well as pests of other crops are generally disseminated 

 and controlled similarly, should we confine our energies in either con- 

 ducting spraying demonstrations or advising what should be done, or 

 should we do everything where conditions will permit to provide 

 means in order that the citizens of our small towns and villages, as 

 well as suburbanites and small growers, can have their trees effectively 

 treated at a reasonable cost? 



In conclusion, it is unnecessary to add that the conducting of these 

 public sprayers entails a considerable amount of executive and detail 

 work, which takes one's time from experimentation and investigation, 

 but is it not our duty to employ to the greatest advantage the rem- 

 edies already known for many of our destructive pests? 



I would be glad to hear some discussion on this subject as to the 

 manner in which these conditions are met in other states and the 

 opinion of members as to policy of state departments conducting pub- 

 lic sprayers. 



