Spraying 



203 



arises. He should know when the pests are likely to 

 appear. He should learn something of their habits, 

 that he may know the vulnerable points. Every gar- 

 dener should buy a good book on insects and perhaps 

 another on fungous diseases, and then keep up-to-date 

 by reading the agricultural papers and the experiment 

 station bulletins. 



An essential point in the application of any spray 

 is timeliness. The minute the trouble appears, the 

 spray should be applied. The pest may be dispatched 

 more readily at this time, and also with less expense 

 of material and effort; and the plants will not have 

 suffered seriously. Another important item in the 

 spraying of plants is thoroughness. A bug will not 

 go where poison is: the poison must be put where 

 the bug is. The bug is likely to avoid the poison: 

 therefore, the only safe way is to put the poison on 

 every part of the plant. One thorough spraying, which 

 completely covers the plant, is worth more than a half 

 dozen sprayings when the operator merely sprinkles 

 the tops of the leaves. Be sure that the spray is of 

 the right kind and well made: then do not be afraid 

 to apply it. Paris green and other insecticides, and 

 even some fungicides, may be applied dry by means of 

 a bellows device; but this is scarcely practicable in 

 windy weather. Most persons prefer to apply both 

 insecticides and fungicides in a water spray. Keep 

 posted on spraying devices by sending for the cata- 

 logues of manufacturers and by reading the bulletins 

 and papers. 



Some of the requisites for a good pump have been 



