APPLIANCES FOR GARDEK AND ORCHARD. 175 



ever, such as dandelion, plantain, etc., are not killed by 

 merely cutting them, but need the application of some 

 destructive liquid to make complete work. In England, 

 oil of vitroil (sulphuric acid) is used for this purpose, but 

 that is dangerous to handle, and must be kept in glass. 

 Strong brine or coal-oil is sometimes applied to the roots 

 to destroy them. We give an illustration of a vessel for 

 the application of liquids, which is attached to the spud, 

 and allows the cutting and killing to be done at one 

 operation. Figure 205 shows the spud, a, with its attach- 

 ment, a tin vessel with a tapering nozzle and holding 

 about a quart, at b. At c, is a valve, which covers a 

 small air-hole, against which it is pressed by a spring, 

 and which may be raised by the cord, e. After cutting 

 the root, a pull of the cord will raise the valve, allow air 

 to enter the vessel, and a small quantity of the liquid will 

 pass out and come in contact with the root. 



VARIOUS FRUIT PICKERS. 



A good picker is shown in figures 206, 207 and 208. 

 Figure 206 is the picker. The pieces, a and , are iron, 

 shaped as seen in the cut. They work on a rivet, and 

 are fastened securely to the end of the pole. Holes are 

 punched through a and b, and stiff wires inserted, form- 

 ing a cage for the fruit. The toothed end of piece 

 b is sharp, and slides over the end of , which may be 

 sharp or not. A small hole is bored through the pole, 

 and a notch cut in the front edge for a small pulley, d. 

 A strong cord is attached to the lower end of b, and passes 

 through the hole over the pulley, and down the pole 

 through screw-eyes placed a short distance apart. Figure 

 207 is a section of the lower end of the pole. Eighteen 

 inches from the end, the pole is squared for about fifteen 

 inches. Over this squared portion is fitted a sliding-box 



