Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-05-19
SPRAYING Apple orehnr,I..

Spraying orchards to protect the
fruit and foliage from the attacks OF
fungi and insects is now conceded 10
be one of the positive duties in con
nection with the growing OF apples.
Those who have had experience in
this direction are practically unanl-
nous in saying that it not only pays
to spray apple orchards, but il pays
we'll. The doubts as TO it being adj
visable are rapidly disappearing,
and the main questions are, what TO
apply, and how and when TO make
the application. What we want to
find out is the best methods OF treat
ing apple orchards, so as to obtain
fruit OF the best quality with the
least expense.
The apple scab fungus is probably
the most serious enemy Of the apple
grower. II has been determined
that this fungus is active even be.
fore the leaf buds open, and probably
even earlier. 1t is still TO be learned
at what season the growth OF the
fungus practically ceases, aud during
what period the apples and leaves
are mos liable TO its attacks, This
may be determined in two ways:
First. by studying the life history OF
the fungus; and. second, by applying
fungicldes at intervals 70 the
trees. II the last method is followed
very thoroughly. the results may be
obscured by the more or less com.
plete determination early In the sea
son OF the fungus in the treated or
chard. But IL few thorough appli.
cations made at the proper
time will prove TO be sufficient 70
protect the trees, the fact that the
trees are thus protected is OF great
practical value. whatever the life
history OF the fungi may be
The relative merits Of tho most
important fungicides now In use stu
require careful consideration cost
ease in preparing aud applying, adj
hesive power, all must enter into
any omparison which may be made.
and OF late a still more important
factor has been added namely. the
readiness with which the fungicide
may be applied in combination with
the arsenitcs.
Spraying need not be nee lected
from a want OF effective material or
spraying machinery, says the journal
of Agriculture The kind to use IA
orchard work is an important matter.
Spraying Is hard work. unless the
pump is run BY horse power. This
can only be used In very .arge
orchards. The most OF orchardists
have to use hand pumps. aud they
are offered in almost endless variety.
therefore selections are often difficult.
The pump should be powerful 10
requires double work TO use given
amount OF liquid with a small, pump
that il would one Of ample size.
Working parts should be made 81
brass or brass.lined. a. the action Of
the material used would soon cOrrOde.
The air chamber should b. small. so
that the operator can quickly in
crease the pressure Of the liquid in
the nozzle A large air chamb de-
feats this. Many pumps are supplied
with agitators. but have not proved
satisfactory, neither does tho one
With return pipe or rubber hose, as
it only stirs up tho liquid Ia the
middle or where the current comes
in contact with the auid. The be u
way would be to STIR up with stick
or long paddle before commencing
on each tree.
The spray should be- as fine rs it Is
possible TO make T. and care should
be taken 10 get proper nozzle.