HOUSE AND GARDEN 
98 
February, 1915 
to be treated, it is the truest economy in the end, as well as the 
only really efficient means of handling the matter, to supply one¬ 
self with a gasolene-power outfit. The initial cost will be saved 
in a comparatively short time by the saving in labor it insures; and 
it is, moreover, the one means of having even pressure and, as a 
consequence, even spraying. Hand-power apparatus is effective 
and satisfactory if worked properly; and where time is no object, 
it is not, of course, more expensive to operate. But the rapid and 
perfect work of the gasolene-driven engine makes it an excellent 
investment. Moreover, if it seems a good deal for one to under¬ 
take, community ownership of such an outfit is perfectly feasible 
— and spraying is essentially a community necessity. 
Next to this there is the barrel pump, suitable for use on fairly 
large places, the barrel holding usually 50 gallons. This may be 
hauled about on a sled or set into a low truck and wheeled. A 
tub-like tank already mounted on wheels is also offered, and 
where there is less 
to be done, will 
prove very satis¬ 
factory. This holds 
half as much as 
the ordinary bar¬ 
rel, and is equipped 
with a strong 
pump. 
The size of tank 
most appropriate 
for a given num¬ 
ber of trees is 
readily estimated 
when an average 
of 3 to 7 gallons a 
tree is taken as a 
basis. A small 
fruit tree will re¬ 
quire about the 
former quantity, 
an old apple tree 
the latter, under 
normal weather 
conditions. Spray¬ 
ing should not be 
done on a windy 
day if it is pos¬ 
sible to avoid such; 
but when it is necessary to spray and the wind blows, it must be 
done. Proceed, then, with the wind always, letting this carry 
the mist of the spray towards the trees. It is possible to accom¬ 
plish a very good piece of work, even in quite a wind, by gauging 
the distance carefully and holding the hose nozzle sufficiently 
away from the tree to bring the mist around it. Have the 
nozzle set at right angles to the pipe, for greater convenience in 
the work. 
For myself, I could not get along without a small compressed- 
air sprayer, and even where there is a large apparatus for trees 
and shrubs, this is invaluable for the smaller plants. It is quite 
equal to trees, however; and if every other kind were to be taken 
away, this one, I feel, could not be dispensed with. One can 
work it very comfortably alone, with both hands free, which is 
not possible with any other kind of small contrivance, for every¬ 
thing else must be pumped continually. This is pumped up, then 
used for from six to ten minutes, the spray being forced by com¬ 
pressed air. 
In selecting any kind of apparatus, bear in mind that the use 
of Bordeaux mixture demands copper receptacles. Galvanized 
iron, while resistant to other sprays, will be eaten by the copper in 
Bordeaux. Therefore, choose copper, even though its cost is a 
little more. For nozzle, choose the Vermorel. It clogs occa¬ 
sionally, but it throws a fine and beautiful mist, and is easily 
cleaned. The Bordeaux nozzle is a good investment also, and 
should be in the outfit for lime-sulphur use, as it cleans even more 
easily, and is not so apt to clog. It does not throw as fine a mist, 
however, and it throws it in a fan-shape, instead of a cone; 
therefore its action is not quite equal to the Vermorel, which 
emits actually a cloud of mist that settles gently over and around 
the tree or shrub to which it is being applied. 
Avoid any of the cheap substitutes for these standard kinds; 
spraying with a nozzle that does not do its work properly is 
almost as bad as no spraying at all. Avoid also the waste of 
money that an investment in small "atomizer” forms of spraying 
apparatus amounts to. These are only fit for indoor use—in¬ 
doors, of course, they have their place, and are perfectly prac¬ 
ticable — and ef¬ 
forts to use them 
outside where 
spraying must be 
conducted on a 
fairly generous 
scale, even though 
the garden is not 
large, are fore¬ 
doomed to failure. 
Whitewash may 
be applied, a n d 
even paint, with 
any of the good 
barrel or tank 
spray pumps; and 
still other nozzles 
for special pur¬ 
poses cost but a 
trifle, and are ad¬ 
visable, as they 
save the higher- 
priced Vermorel 
and Bordeaux. Al¬ 
ways clean appa- 
tus thoroughlv 
after using; and 
dry out the sepa¬ 
rate parts careful¬ 
ly—in the sunlight if possible. This l$eeps them free from sticki¬ 
ness, which otherwise does sometime^ cause inconvenience. 
Mound the earth up about trees for this lime-sulphur spraying 
of February; then draw it away as soon as the work is done. 
This is to protect the tree at its crown and the roots below, from 
the fluid that might otherwise penetrate down to them and do 
them injury. Do this also when spraying with kerosene-soap 
emulsion; and never use the latter stronger than the spraying 
table directs. 
The two compounds necessary for winter spraying should be 
mixed according to the following formulas; 
Lime-Sulphur Wash.—3 lbs. unslaked lime, 2 lbs. flowers of 
sulplmr, \ l / 2 lbs. salt, 3 gallons water. Slake the lime in a small 
quantity of the water. Mix the sulphur into a stiff paste and add 
at once to the slaking lime. Add the salt to the remainder of the 
water; then add the mixture of lime and sulphur, and boil all 
together in an iron vessel for two hours. Dilute after boiling 
until the total quantity of the liquid is 6 gallons. Apply at once, 
straining it into the spray tank through an iron screen strainer. 
Agitate while applying, so that it shall not settle. 
(Continued on page 124) 
With the larger machines come lengths of hose that permit several men working at once. The purchase of such 
a machine should be seriously considered by the garden club in your town 
