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WHAT THE AUTOMATIC SPRAYER IS 



In the summer of 1950, the writer designed and constructed an automatic 

 sprayer that could apply a concentrated solution of pyrethrins to cattle as they 

 walked over a hinged platform, or treadle, on the way to and from water. Placed 

 in one of the pastures at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Experiment 

 Station, the sprayer gave excellent control of horse flies. 



In a 38 -day test, cattle protected from horse flies by the machine gained 

 20 to 30 pounds per animal more than unprotected animals in comparable pastures. " 

 The cost of material was about 1 cent per animal per day. 



The original machine was again used in 1951 with good results. In addition, 

 new models, simpler and less bulky, had been built and installed in Dixon Springs 

 pastures. Control of horse flies with the new machine in 1951 averaged 90 to 97 

 per cent. 



The models shown on pages 6 and 7 are slight modifications of machines 

 used in pasture and feedlot in the summer of 1951. 



The one-nozzle sprayer gave excellent control of horse flies and horn flies 

 on beef cattle in pasture at Dixon Springs. The two -nozzle sprayer gave equally 

 good control of horn flies, horse fUes, and stable flies on a herd of dairy cattle 

 belonging to the University of Illinois at Urbana. In areas where the biting flies 

 present include significant populations of the species that feed principally on the 

 legs and underlines of cattle, the two-nozzle sprayer is recommended. 



Although these sprayers have given excellent results under field condi- 

 tions, they are still in the stage of experimental development, and farmers who 

 build models are urged to use their ingenuity in improving and simplifying the 

 construction. 



HOW THE AUTOMATIC SPRAYER WORKS 



The working unit of the automatic sprayer is placed in a chute or runway 

 through which cattle must make at least three round trips a week. It may, for 

 instance, be located in a fence between pasture and water or salt, or in a lane 

 between pasture and milk barn. 



As an animal steps on the hinged floor, or treadle, of the one -nozzle 

 sprayer, a fine mist comes out through the nozzle and covers the back and one 

 side of tiie animal. The two -nozzle machine sprays the underlines, also. As the 

 animal makes its return trip through the chute, its other side is sprayed. Even 

 if an animal stops on the treadle and stands there, spray will not continue to run 

 from the nozzle and be wasted. 



Although good control results from three round-trip applications per 

 week, better control is obtained from round-trip applications once or twice a 



