Spray Pumps

The application of the foregoing spray mixtures is fully

as important as the sprays themselves, for on the right application at

the right time depends the efficacy of the spray. For this purpose a

considerable amount of special machinery has been devised. Lack of

space prevents us from going into much detail on this question, so we

must be content with merely outlining the different types of machines

and mentioning their accessories. Sprays are forced through single,

double or triple acting pumps, either by hand or power. The three

types of power available are traction, compressed air, and gasoline,

the last being the most used. Steam power is practically obsolete.



The knapsack is the simplest type of hand pump, but it is of no

practical use in the mature apple orchard. For small orchards and

small trees several types of hand pumps are quite effective. The lever

type of pump, where the handle is pushed from and pulled toward the

operator, probably gives the most power with the least tiring effect,

because it enables one to use the weight of the body to some extent.

It is best not to have the pump attached to the spray barrel or tank,

but set on a movable base of its own, as then it can be used for any

one of a number of barrels. Such an outfit may be obtained for from

twenty-five to forty dollars.



It is well to buy a standard make of pump, preferably from a nearby

dealer, so that repairs may be readily secured. For all orchards up to

three or four acres in size, and for larger orchards where the trees

are not over twelve or fifteen feet in height, this kind of spray rig

is the most practicable and advisable, when the expense is taken into

consideration. This applies especially to the general farm.



The power of a traction sprayer is developed from the wheels. There is

much discussion as to whether sufficient power to throw an effective

spray can be supplied by this method. By accumulating considerable

pressure by extra driving at the ends of the rows and then skipping

every other tree in order to keep up the pressure, going over the rows

twice, a very satisfactory pressure can be obtained for trees which

are not too large. The argument for this type of machine, and it is

especially applicable on the general farm, is that it can be used for

other spraying on the farm as well as for the apple orchard,

especially for potatoes and small fruits. It is a comparatively cheap

type of power, particularly when it can be used for several purposes.



The compressed air gas sprayer comes next in point of simplicity and

cost for a power sprayer. Its most economic use is found where

orcharding is carried on extensively enough to pay to compress the air

or gas right in the orchard. This is of course impracticable on the

general farm. Therefore the air or gas must be purchased and shipped

to the farm in steel tubes. This often causes delay at critical times

and is rather expensive. Moreover, the gas is open to the objection of

interfering with the lime-sulphur compound by precipitating some of

the sulphur.



The gasoline engine is the most useful and popular type of power for

the orchard sprayer, as well as for general use on the farm. Many

makes are now so perfected that they give little or no trouble. One

and a half or two horsepower are fully sufficient for spraying, but

most farmers prefer from three to five horsepower in order to be able

to use the engine more for other purposes. The latter power is open to

objection for spraying purposes on account of its weight, as

especially in early spring it is very difficult to haul so heavy a rig

over the soft ground. Such an outfit is also rather expensive.

Standard makes of gasoline engines of sufficient power for spraying

cost from $75.00 to $150.00 according to horsepower and efficiency.

For very large trees, for mature orchards, and for all orchards larger

than four or five acres, the gasoline engine is the best source of

power for spraying, particularly where it can be used for other

purposes on the farm.



A double acting or two cylinder pump is most desirable. If there is

plenty of power a triplex or three cylinder pump is still better. The

requirements of a good pump are: sufficient power for the work desired

of it; strong but not too heavy; fewest possible number of parts

consistent with efficiency; brass parts and valves; and a good sized

air chamber. A number of standard makes of pumps answer these

conditions very well. Pumps should always be washed out with clean

water when the operator is through with them and the metal parts

coated with vaseline. Never leave water in a pump chamber or in the

engine jacket in cold weather.



The ordinary hand pump and barrel give satisfactory use when placed on

a wagon, unless the trees are very high. But for large orchards, high

trees, and where larger tanks and power pumps are used it is

desirable to have a special truck for the outfit. The front wheel

should be made low so as to turn under the tank to enable the driver

to make short turns around the trees. A tower is desirable where high

old trees are to be sprayed. This should be substantial but as small

as is consistent with the purpose so as not to catch on the limbs and

make it difficult to get close up around the trees. The height of the

platform must be regulated by the need and by the roughness of the

ground. On steep side hills the wagon body on which the tank rests

should be underslung.



In order to get as near to the work as possible get a long hose--from

twenty to thirty feet according to circumstances. The best quality,

three to five ply, is none too good. Hose should be three-eighths to

one-half inch in diameter, one inch being too heavy. Extension rods

are a practical necessity. They should be ten to twelve feet long and

made of bamboo lined with brass, that is, as light as possible.

Nozzles are very important in thorough and effective spraying. There

is no best nozzle, nor one with which all the work can be done.



Several things should be considered in selecting a nozzle. First of

all, it must be of convenient form so as not to catch in trees and so

constructed that it will not clog easily. Second, for apple trees it

should have good capacity and deliver as spreading a spray as

possible. Third, the nature of the spray is very important.

Insecticides should usually be applied with force in a comparatively

coarse driving spray, but fungicides should be applied in a fine mist

or fog so that they will settle on every part of the tree. Therein

lies the difficulty of applying insecticides and fungicides together.