FRUIT- SPRAYING. 



187 



insecticide, or the injudicious use of a good one, perhaps having 

 mixed it too strong. But amongst growers who are regular 

 users of insecticides one very seldom hears of this so-called 

 scorching, even when using Paris-green or London-purple — (these 

 two in particular should always be used with caution, and never 

 where there is a ground crop). 



Again, many farmers object to the cost of the machines ; but 

 surely this is false economy— it is better to invest in a good 

 machine and enhance the value of your crop. 



The prices of machines vary according to the size of the orchards 

 they are required for ; but, generally speaking, a washer to hold 

 from sixteen to twenty-four gallons of liquid is about the'handiest 

 size, especially where the ground is rough. These machines will 

 cost from about £9 up to £15. 



Some growers use a small knapsack pump, a very handy 

 machine for spraying Gooseberries or young standards, but where 

 the trees are high it is almost impossible to reach the higher 

 branches with them. 



Many farmers mix their own washes, such as paraffin and 

 soft soap, quassia and soft soap, &c, but there are now so many 

 well-known and well-tried insecticides in the market, which do 

 not cost more than home-made mixtures, that it is really quite 

 as economical to use them, and avoid all the trouble and expense 

 of boiling down for oneself. 



Discussion. 



Mr. Cheal, who opened the discussion, said the subject was 

 of the utmost importance to fruit-growers. Mr. Munro had not 

 laid too much stress upon it, and if growers would only follow 

 his advice the result would be most satisfactory. We could learn 

 a good deal from the French in these matters. The great thing 

 to be aimed at is to place the fruit before the consumer in the 

 same condition as when it left the grower. They had all seen 

 the mauling and mangling of fruit, and many growers could 

 scarcely recognise their own produce a few hours after it had left 

 their establishments. Some time ago he had the pleasure of 

 listening to Mr. Monro when this question was discussed in 

 another place, and he was very much struck by a remark made 

 by Mr. Monro to the effect that foreign fruit, although it came 



