79 



the tank becomes empty. By mciins of tlic tillinjj; pump on the ^-aso- 

 linc power outiits much valuable time can In^ saved in the operation 

 of tilling the tank, as compared with the method of having an extra 

 wagon to haul water to the spraying outfit, sometimes employed. The 

 routes followed by the spraying machine in the orchard depend upon 

 many factors, such as source of water suppl}, position of hills and 

 ridges, and direction of wind. Each orchard is a problem by itself, 

 and experience will show which routes can })e followed with the least 

 loss of time. 



APPLICATION OK SPKAY. 



There are many methods of spraying the trees. In following the 

 chosen route through the orchard some use four lines of hose, com- 

 pletely spraying four rows of trees at a time; l>ut it has been found 

 in actual practice that on accoiuit of the long hose and the gi'cat dis- 

 tances the men have to walk other methods are more advantageous. 

 Many use two lines of hose, and men standing on the groiuid go com- 

 pletel}^ around the trees, thus spraying two rows on all sides. Other 

 fruit growei's drive down one row and spray half of the tree on cither 

 side; coming l)a('k on the other side of the row they vspray the other 

 sid(^ and one-half of tlie next row. It has l)cen cl(>arly shown that this 

 method gives the best results, both in the saving of time and in com- 

 pletely covering the trees. When the trees are tall it is quite neces- 

 sarv that the men ride upon an elevated platform, and it has also been 

 found advantageous in using the gasoline-power outfit to have the 

 men ride on the apparatus. In this wa}^ not only the men are saved 

 unnecessary labor, but from their elevated position they can spi-a}^ the 

 trees more thoroughly. With the nozzles set at an angle on the l)am- 

 boo extension, part of the tree can be sprayed as it is being approached. 

 Then on stopping at the tree the whole side can be sprayed, and when 

 leaving it the last part can be sprayed and spraying be l)egun on the 

 next tree. It is almost impossible to spray while moving' at right 

 angles to a strong wind, and if such a wind is encountered it will be 

 found desirable to have the wagon go either with or against it and take 

 advantage of it by allowing it to blow the mist through the trees. 

 Experience on the part of the operators will enable them to devise 

 methods to reduce the time without impairing the effectiveness of the 

 spra3dng. 



The ideal to }>e attained in applying spra}" is to cover the tree with 

 a thin coating of the spray solution, so thtit when the water dries it 

 will leave a coating of poison on ever}^ portion of the foliage and fruit. 

 When the spray is applied with but little force the stream does not 

 break up into sufticientl}' fine glo])ules, and when they strike the foli- 

 age ihGY either cover only a small portion of it or run together into 

 large drops and fall to the ground, leaving but little of the solution on 

 the tree, and that little very much scattered. If, however, the spray 



