193 
THE  TRIALS  OF  FRUIT  TREE  SPRAYING 
MACHINES  AT  GLOUCESTER,  1909. 
j j j George  E.  Champion,  Linton,  Maidstone. 
Jtiages  | ^yjoj^TAGU  C.  H.  Taylor,  Shelsley  Walsh,  Worcester. 
These  trials  were  held  in  the  orchards  of  Mr.  Martin  Chart 
at  Hucclecote,  on  June  17  and  18.  The  site  was  an  excellent 
one,  the  arrangements  were  well  carried  out,  and  we  were 
able  to  hold  exhaustive  trials  of  the  four  power  machines, 
and  the  twenty-six  hand  machines  entered  for  competition. 
Class  III. — Power  Machines. 
After  a thorough  trial  we  placed  No.  183,  entered  by 
Messrs.  Weeks  & Son,  first.  This  consisted  of  a 5 H.P.  oil 
engine  driving  three  throw  plunger  pumps.  The  engine  and 
pumps  were  mounted  on  a four  wheeled  frame,  and  to  this 
was  connected  a galvanised  storage  tank  on  wheels.  The  tank 
contained  150  gallons  of  mixture  and  was  fitted  with  agitators 
worked  by  the  engine.  This  machine  supplied  the  nozzles 
on  eight  lengths  of  hose  pipe  at  once,  delivering  930  gallons 
per  hour,  and  doing  good  work  with  the  different  mixtures 
used. 
No.  388,  Messrs.  DraJre  & Fletcher’s  machine,  placed  second, 
comprised  a 3 H.P.  two  cylinder  petrol  engine,  and  a set  of 
two-throw  gun  metal  plunger  pumps  mounted,  with  a wooden 
barrel  holding  120  gallons  of  mixture,  on  a four  wheeled 
portable  trolley.  This  machine  worked  well  ; supplying  eight 
branch  hose  pipes  and  nozzles,  and  delivering  600  gallons 
per  hour. 
The  remaining  entries  consisted  of  No.  298,  shown  by 
the  Weald  of  Kent  Engineering  Company.  A 5 H.P.  petrol 
engine  working  a set  of  three  plunger  pumps,  mounted  on 
a frame  and  wheels,  and  a 50-gallon  tub  fitted  with  handles 
for  carrying.  This  gave  very  satisfactory  results. 
No.  4350,  Messrs.  Duke  & Ockenden’s  machine,  comprising 
a 3 H.P.  petrol  engine,  and  double  acting  “ Admiral  ” pump 
mounted  on  a waggon  with  a 250-gallon  half-round  tub,  a 
spraying  tower,  and  a galvanised  water  tank.  This  was  a 
somewhat  cumbersome  plant. 
Class  II. — Hand  Power  Machines. 
The  twenty-six  hand  power  machines  in  Class  2 were, 
after  the  exhaustive  trials  on  the  first  day,  reduced  to  eight. 
VOL.  70.  O 
