161 



each lance, one about six or eight inches above the 

 other, double the quantity of solution is applied 

 advantageously, and with great saving of time and 

 trampling of the land. We have adapted a 7-row 

 Strawson to a double 5-row, and find the pump suffi- 

 ciently strong. 



The horse machines may be fitted so as to spray the 

 upper portion of the leaves simultaneously with the 

 lower. Mr. Barnes, of Moynalty, in his trials, found 

 decided advantage in this method in those cases where 

 the tops were very heavy and the spray had difficulty 

 in working upwards through the dense foliage. 



The spraying should be commenced earlier in the 

 season than ordinary observation might indicate. It 

 must be remembered that the disease has established 

 itself several days, and, if the weather has remained 

 cool and dry, probably some weeks before it is notice- 

 able to the casual observer. It has been shown that 

 the first attack on the crop is that which it is most 

 necessary to guard against, as when the disease has 

 once established itself in a field it cannot be entirely eradi- 

 cated, and it is continually throwing off spores which 

 are able to set up disease. It is therefore important 

 to guard against attack, and spraying must be com- 

 menced early. There is no fixed date at which this 

 should be done, as climatic influences affect the growth 

 of the crop, and also of the disease. Seasons vary so 

 much that there is often some weeks' difference between 

 the growth on a given date in different years. As a 

 general guide it may be taken that a good time for 



M 



