FUMIGATION OF CITRUS TREES. 



79 



per tree. After completing the treatment of an orchard, knowledge 

 of the number of trees covered and the amount of cyanid used fur- 

 nishes immediate means of calculating the cost. 



The estimates of association, county, and private work will vary 

 somewhat from the above figures, for in these cases the work is sup- 

 posed to be performed at actual cost. The following figures enter 

 here and are the average of field conditions. Cyanid is purchased at 

 practically 25 cents per pound in large quantities (tons) and 25J cents 

 in smaller lots. Sulphuric acid costs about 1J cents per pound. 

 Five men are required to run an outfit. The foreman receives about 

 50 cents per hour, while the other 4 men receive about 35 cents each 

 per hour. This makes a total cost of about $1.90 per hour for labor. 

 By adding to the cost of labor the cost of cyanid and acid, as well as 

 allowing a certain amount for transporting the chemicals to the field, 

 and including the cost of, as well as wear and tear on the tents and 

 other equipment necessary in fumigation work, we have a basis for 

 estimating the real cost of the operation. 



Most trees fumigated require between 5 and 18 ounces of cyanid. 

 An average dosage would be about 10 ounces. A supply cart (pp. 

 22-23) can be equipped complete for about $35. 



Generating pots cost as follows: One and one-half gallon, 35 cents; 

 2-gallon, 45 cents; 3-gallon, 65 cents. 



Below are given the prices of different sized octagonal sheet tents 

 ready for use, as furnished by one of the largest dealers in fumigating 

 tents in southern California. These prices are based on the assump- 

 tion that an entire outfit of 30 tents is to be purchased. If only a 

 single tent is purchased, the cost will be slightly greater than these 

 figures. Fluctuations in the cotton market will cause a variation in 

 the price of tents. 



Size. 



230 (7- 

 ounce) 

 special 

 drill.i 



200(8- 

 ounce) 

 special 

 drill.i 



8-ounce 

 special 

 Army 

 duck. 



17-foot 



$6.46 

 12.92 

 19.95 

 28.50 

 36.10 

 43.70 

 45.60 

 50.35 

 62.70 

 69.35 

 91.20 

 114.76 



$6.97 

 13.94 

 21.53 

 30.75 

 38.75 

 47.15 

 49.20 

 54.32 

 67.65 

 74.82 

 98.40 

 123. 82 



$6.12 



24-foot 



12.24 



30-foot 



18.90 



36-foot 



27.00 



41-foot 



34.20 



43-foot 



41.40 



45-foot 



43.20 



48-foot 



47.70 



52-foot 



59.40 



55-foot 



65.70 



64-foot 



86.40 



72-foot 



108.72 







1 The 7 and 8 ounce special drills are those recommended by this investigation (p. 12). The inferior grades 

 of drill ordinarily employed are about 20 per cent cheaper than the 7-ounce special. 



The cost of thirty 45-foot tents of special 7-ounce drill together with 

 the other equipment necessary to complete the outfit will approxi- 

 mate $1,400. 



