CHEMI CAL WEED CONTROL IN THE ORCHARD 



The elimination of grass and weeds under fruit trees may materially aid 

 tree growth and mouse control. However, successful use of chemical weed killers 

 requires close attention to details. With chemical weed control it is necessary 

 to - read the label - follow the instructions - apply only on crops specified - 

 not apply more than the suggested amount - make applications only during suggested 

 seasons - and calibrate your sprayer to insure rate of application. 



Sprayer Calibration 



Calibration of the sprayer is as important as following the directions on 

 the chemical label. Overdosage can cause injury to trees. Speed of sprayer, 

 nozzle spacing, application rate and discharge rate per nozzle are the four 

 major factors to consider in calibrating a farm sprayer. Farm equipment dealers 

 can furnish information on sprayer calibration and proper nozzling. 



If using a hand gun, the rate of discharge can be found by determining the 

 time required to fill a container of known gallonage. This procedure will enable 

 the grower to time the application for each tree. 



If the amount of herbicide desired per acre is dissolved or suspended in 

 100 gallons of spray solution, then each gallon of spray solution should cover 

 the number of trees listed in Table 1. Note that the heading for the first column 

 is "distance sprayed from the middle of the trunk". This is an important 

 consideration when spraying around large trees one foot or more in diameter. The 

 number of square feet in the area three feet from the trunk of large trees is 

 greater than that within 3 feet from the trunk of small trees. 



All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered and 

 cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and regulations. 

 Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all 

 pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the Massachusetts Department 

 of Public Health. Trade names, where used for clearness, do not indicate 

 endorsement nor imply that similar products are not satisfactory. 



WARNING I MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS 

 AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF 

 CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK. 



