222 



The Spraying of Plants. 



blasts are used by some for the same purpose with marked 

 success. 



The best spray nozzle, so far as efficiency, simplicity, and 

 cheapness are concerned, is the end of a hose and a man's 

 thumb. Unfortunately the thumb gets sore and tired, and opera- 

 tions must be suspended to wait for repairs. It is the nearest 

 approach to the ideal nozzle yet devised, if it were only more 

 practicable. It will do all that a good nozzle should do. It 

 throws a fine mist-like spray, one that will "float in the air 



FIG. 35. Power sprayer,- with rotary pump. 



like a fog," or the particles of water may instantly be made 

 coarser, and the water thus carried to a greater distance; or 

 still coarser and the water leave the hose in the form of a solid 

 stream. These changes all take place instantly (after a little 

 practice), and it makes no difference whether the parts to be 

 sprayed are a few inches or many feet away. This nozzle never 

 clogs, but is cleaned automatically, and as quickly as the char- 

 acter of the spray is varied. In fact it possesses all the desir- 

 able qualities of a spray nozzle, except durability, and for this 

 we must turn to the metals for aid. 



