THE SPRAYING OF PLANTS. 



W. M. MUNSON. 

 LET US SPRAY. 



"It is conservatively estimated that the annual yield of all 

 crops is lessened about 25 per cent, by the attacks of injurious 

 insects and fungous diseases. Experiments have demonstrated 

 that at least 75 per cent, of this loss can be prevented by the use 

 of simple remedies applied by means of a spray pump. Ex- 

 pressed in figures, the annual loss would represent about 

 $500,000,000 in the United States alone. Of this amount, 75 

 per cent., or $375,000,000 can be saved by spraying."* 



The above paragraph represents the facts concerning the im- 

 portance of spraying, at the present time. Previous reports f 

 have detailed the experiments made along this line at this Sta- 

 tion, and equally striking results have been obtained at other 

 stations. Spraying has ceased to be an experiment. The bene- 

 ficial results obtained at the experiment stations have been fully 

 corroborated in practical field work, and now it is important 

 to know the hoiv and the ivhy of spraying. In other words, 

 in order that the best results may be obtained, spraying must 

 be done intelligently. 



Success in spraying, as in most of the work in life, is largely 

 a matter of detail. Little things, seemingly unimportant, all 

 afTect the results obtained. Failure may usually be attributed 

 to lateness of application, carelessness in applying or in prepar- 

 ing the material, or to defective apparatus. 



WHY SPRAY? 



Spraying is plant insurance. It is, with few exceptions, a 

 preventive measure for many of the ills that plants are heir to, 

 and not a cure. There are several distinct classes of enemies 



* Weed, Spraying for Proflt, p. 9. 



t Rep. Maine Expt. Sta., 1S91, p. 99; 1S92, p. 92; 1893, p. 124. 



