Spraying Equipment Should Be Checked

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30555, 25 September 1964, Page 6

Spraying Equipment Should Be Checked

Already the indications are that it will be a dry season and that watering, where possible, will become a necessity if plants are to be kept growing and looking well. Irrigation equipment, such as sprinklers and hoses, is best checked now. This will allow replacements and additions to be obtained while selections are plentiful.

To maintain maximum water pressure, couplings and other connexions should be tested for leaks. Washers should be inspected and replaced if necessary. If replacements are difficult . to obtain, new ones can be cut out of old shoes or tyres. Fitting couplings to plastic hoses often presents problems of leaking and loss of pressure. Dip the end of the hose in boiling water for a few

seconds, to make the plastic pliable. The coupling can then be slipped in and the clamp tightened. Polythene hoses are best heated after the inside edge has been lightly champered. The connexion should be pushed in before the pipe has cooled, which occurs rapidly once it has been withdrawn from the heat. Neglect of spray heads, which causes poor distribution of water, can often be traced to an accumulation of dirt at the outlet or failure to grease the rotating head. Overhead sprinklers tend to cause annoyance unless there is a suitable stand. An answer is to construct a strong metal standard of reasonable height, pointed at one end and fitted with a erbssplate about 18 inches from the point so it can be driven into the ground with the foot.

Some sprinklers need a good water pressure before they will work satisfactorily. If you are not on mains supply, check your water pressure before you buy or you may find the system selected is ineffective.