56 MAINE AGRICUI.TURAI, EXPERIMENT STATION. 



increased, using 2, 3 or 4 to each row as required and so ar- 

 ranged that they will cover each row thoroughly, but so directed 

 toward the row that the cones of spray will each strike it inde- 

 pendently and not interfere with each other. This is the ideal 

 but so far it has not been possible in the past to entirely realize 

 It. 



Some very efficient traction sprayers have been developed 

 but to haul a 100 gallon tank of spray and supply pressure for 

 4 nozzles to each of 4 rows ori6 nozzles in all requires a com- 

 bination of a most efficient pair of horses and an equally effi- 

 cient pump. In an attempt to solve some of these difficulties 

 an experimental two-wdieeled, gasoline-power sprayer was con- 

 structed at Highmoor Farm and used there during the summer 

 of 1913. This machine was by no means perfect but it is felt 

 that it does point the way toward the next step in the improve- 

 ment of potato sprayers. 



This sprayer was mounted on a pair of extra heavy wheels 

 with an equally strong axle. For power the engine and pump 

 from one of the orchard sprayers was used. To save expense 

 as this was an experiment which might prove impractical a 5c 

 gallon barrel was used for a tank. A 100 gallon tavk would 

 be necessary in practical work and this full, with the combined 

 weight of it and the engine, would have hauled easier than a 

 traction power sprayer carrying the same size tank. 



A special spray boom was constructed and when the plants 

 were large 4 nozzles were used to each row, 2 on top and 2 

 between the rows. Those above the row were placed 6 inches 

 apart or 3 inches each side of the center, one being directed 

 forward and downward and the other backward and downward. 

 In this way the cones of spray did not interfere with each other, 

 the whole top of the row was covered, the spray striking 

 the row in a slanting direction instead of directly downward, 

 thus securing greater penetration to the interior of the hill and 

 partially forcing the surface leaves upward and hitting the 

 undersides. The nozzles between the rows were of the 45° 

 type. They were attached to a T at the end of a 3 foot pipe 

 which nearly reached the ground between the rows. This T 

 was placed parallel to the rows to avoid catching the vines a^. 

 much as possible and to permit the adjustment of the nozzles 

 in the proper direction. By rotating the 45° nozzles on the 



