CHAPTER XX 



SPRAYING 



Older orchardists often tell us that successful fruit-growing is 

 impossible at the present time because of the great increase in 

 the number of diseases and insect enemies with which the fruit- 

 grower must contend. It is undoubtedly true that the difficulties 

 of the fruit-grower have greatly increased, for not only have many 

 new fruit pests been brought from foreign countries, but the stand- 

 ard of marketable fruit has been constantly raised until, at the 

 present time, first-class fruit must be practically free from all 

 blemishes. But to offset these discouragements is the fact that 

 at no time in the past have we had such a thorough knowledge 

 of the means of combating these pests or such efficient apparatus. 

 The up-to-date fruit-grower therefore fears his insect and plant- 

 disease enemies less to-day than he did half a century ago. 



A man who thoroughly understands spraying as related to suc- 

 cessful fruit-growing has little to fear from the enemies of the 

 orchard. While simple in itself, spraying is somewhat complex 

 from the standpoint of efficiency in checking fungi and insects. 

 To obtain the best results the grower must have a working 

 knowledge of the habits and methods of feeding of the insects 

 which prey upon the orchard, so as to be able to attack each at 

 the most vulnerable point in its development and in the most eco- 

 nomical manner ; he must know how to prevent the introduction 

 of fungus and bacterial disease, and how to combat them once they 

 have gained entrance ; he must understand the value of different 

 fungicides and insecticides, the manner and the time of applica- 

 tion, and the proper amounts to use ; he must secure efficient, 

 up-to-date apparatus ; and since thoroughness is the secret of suc- 

 cessful spraying, he must see that the work is thoroughly done. 



It will be a help to the orchardist also to keep these suggestions 

 in mind : (i) buy good stock and make sure that it is free from 

 plant pests by personally inspecting it and having it inspected by 



