SPRAYING THE APPLE ORCHARD. 45 



sion rod is a necessity, especially with the tall trees usual in 

 New Hampshire orchards. The best of these consist of a 

 bamboo rod enclosing a light brass tube (or better, an 

 aluminum tube which has a larger diameter) and fitted with 

 thread for the nozzle at the tip, and with a shut-off or stop 

 cock at the lower end, so that the stream may be cut off 

 when moving from tree to tree and the pressure maintained. 

 Iron and brass extension pipes are too heavy and are dis- 

 agreeable to handle. Ten feet is a desirable length. 



Hose. — It is economy to get the best half-inch hose 

 (inside measure) and to have plenty on hand. Make the 

 joints as firm as possible, and see that the shanks to the 

 nozzles and fittings are long enough so that the hose clamps 

 will grip them firmly. A few firms are offering improved 

 hose couplings, but there is much room for their improve- 

 ment. Nothing is more disagreeable than the constant 

 breaking of couplings, with the incidental enforced bath 

 in the spray mixture, and many have given up spraying in 

 despair on account of being unable to make the cheap coup- 

 lings hold the hose under pressure. 



Strainers. — One of the most frequent causes of delay is 

 the clogging of the nozzles from sediment, dirt, etc. To 

 obviate this, when filling the sprayer strain all mixtures 

 through a fine copper strainer, which may be purchased of 

 any pump company. Have the barrel of the sprayer 

 tight, and see that it is clean before starting. So-called 

 "nozzle protectors" are now being sold by several com- 

 panies, consisting of a pipe containing a fine strainer, 

 which is attached between the outlet of the pump and the 

 hose. When this strainer becomes clogged, by turning a 

 two-way cock it is reversed and the stream forces the sedi- 

 ment out of the pipe through an aperture. It is readily 

 disgorged and the nozzles are thus protected from any sedi- 

 ment which may have passed the strainer at the bottom of 

 the pump. 



The Wagon and Tower. — Ordinarily the sprayer is sim- 



