WHITMAN'S FOUNTAIN PUMP. 239 



one pound of Paris green over an acre ; with the other poisons a smaller 

 amount must be used, on account of the danger of scorching the cotton. 



When Paris green was first applied with water common watering-pots 

 were used. A man mounted upon a mule carried the pot and sprinkled 

 the plants as he rode along the rows. Other hands kept this one sup- 

 plied with the mixture. This was found to be a very imperfect method, 

 requiring, as it does, a great amount of water, which is a serious objec- 

 tion when the water has to be drawn a considerable distance, as is 

 usually the case. Moreover, by this method the poison is not evenly 

 distributed ; the hand (almost invariably an ignorant and careless ne- 

 gro, and, perhaps, half asleep) rides along and deluges some plants, 

 while others are not wet at all. 



The most practical way of applying wet poisons that has come under 

 our observation is by means of a machine known as the fountain-pump. 

 This is a simple instrument, the form of which is shown in Fig. 50. 



FIG. 50. 



It consists of two brass tubes, one working telescopically within the 

 other ; a hose is fastened to one end and a rose can be attached to the 

 other ; this rose is represented in the lower part of the figure ; an ar- 

 rangement of valves allows water to pass into the pump through the 

 hose, but will not allow it to return. Thus, when the smaller tube is 

 pulled out, the pump is filled to its greatest capacity ; by pushing this 

 tube back, the water can be ejected with considerable force through the 

 nose in a fine spray. In this way, with a single pump, a man can throw 

 the poison over five rows of cotton at once, walking rapidly along the rows. 

 Thus five rows can be poisoned in about the same time that is required 

 to poison one row with a watering-pot. In addition to the saving of 

 time, much less water is used with the fountain-pump than is required 

 with watering-pots ; and as the pumps throw a very fine spray, the poi- 

 son can be more evenly distributed in this way. 



In using the fountain-pump, one man works the pump, another hand 

 (often a woman) accompanies him and carries the bucket containing the 

 mixture. Other hands keep these supplied with the poison. As some 

 parts of the work are more tiresome than others, the hands are trans- 

 ferred from one part to another at intervals. The water is conveyed to 

 and about the fields as far as possible in wagons. 



It is estimated by those who have had much experience in applying 

 poisons in this way, that where water is easily obtained, with one foun- 

 tain-pump and eight hands (three of whom may be women) 25 acres of 



