12 



Spraying. 



Spraying is practised to only a slight extent, except by 

 those who make fruit growing a specialty. It is slowly but 

 steadily increasing, however, and more is done each year. 

 More attention should be paid to this by all farmers who 

 rely upon fruit production for any portion of their income, 

 as the outlay will invariably be repaid by an increase in both 

 the quantity and quality of the fruit secured. Paris green 

 is the insecticide most commonly used, and can be applied 

 in the proportion of one pound to one hundred and fifty 

 gallons of water. Arsenate of lead, a new insecticide re- 

 cently discovered by the gypsy moth committee of the State 

 Board of Agriculture, is, however, to be preferred, as it 

 can be applied at any desired strength without danger of 

 burning the foliage. This makes it a much safer insecticide 

 than Paris green in unskilful hands, and also makes it possi- 

 ble to use strength sufficient to practically exterminate any 

 of our common insects. It also adheres very closely to the 

 foliage, and the addition of one quart of glucose to one 

 hundred and fifty gallons of the mixture will cause it to 

 stick to the leaves through practically an entire season, in 

 spite of heavy rain storms. It has been found to be effective 

 against the tent caterpillar and potato beetle at the strength 

 of one pound to one hundred and fifty gallons of water, but 

 a greater proportion may be required for some insects. This 

 insecticide can now be obtained through any of the promi- 

 nent Boston seed stores. The high cost of spraying appa- 

 ratus has undoubtedly deterred many small growers from 

 using insecticides. All such are recommended to investi- 

 gate the '♦ hydrosprayer " or common brass hand syringe, 

 which is described by Dr. Jabez Fisher on page 16H of 

 "Agriculture of Massachusetts" for 1891. It is thought 

 that this little implement will be found efficient in a great 

 many cases. When the canker worm is present, spray- 

 ing should be resorted to as soon as the worms appear, 

 otherwise the first general spraying should be made just 

 before the opening of the blossoms. If Paris green is the 

 insecticide used, a good general rule would be to spray three 

 times after blossoming. If arsenate of lead is used, prob- 



