740 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
and for that purpose it purchased two power spraying outfits, 
each provided with an elevating apparatus such as is commonly 
seen on repair wagons of electric roads. With such an outfit 
it was found that the average cost per tree for each spraying 
was 17ic. Mr Wells, superintendent of streets, is of the opinion 
that this elevating apparatus is a great saver in time and money. 
It should be borne in mind, however, that the maple trees at 
Saratoga were not infested with the elm leaf beetle, but with 
the forest tent-caterpillar, and that spraying in the case of the 
latter insect is much easier than in the case of the former, and 
the cost would therefore be much less. | 
The work in Albany was done under the civil service regula- 
tions, and, owing to local conditions, the foreman was unable 
to exercise desirable selection in the choice of his men. 
Mr W.S. Egerton, superintendent of parks, in commenting on 
the situation remarks as follows: “An active energetic foreman, 
understanding thoroughly the requirements of the service, and 
having authority to select his men for special qualifications as 
to handling and climbing ladders and spraying properly, could 
cover much more territory, more effectually and at much less 
cost per tree, than the eight hour limit and the eivil service 
regulations permit under the present system.” He further 
remarks concerning the force employed in the operation of the 
power outfit, which in the city of Albany consisted ofa driver, 
a motorman and two spraying men: “The force used on the 
motors could, under private enterprise, be reduced to three men 
to each motor, the motorman and driver being one and the same 
person and two sprayers, making three operators.” 
It will be seen by the above that there is an opportunity even 
with these comparatively low figures to reduce still further the 
cost of spraying trees without marring the efficiency of the 
work. The trouble with a great many persons wishing to have 
spraying done is that they fail to see the necessity of insisting 
on thorough work, and they are very apt to consider the work 
cheap if a large number of trees are covered with the poison, 
whether or not the work be thoroughly done. As a matter of 
