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 17Jc. 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 civil 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 of a 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 



