I. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY. 369 



eral spread only over their eastern slopes. Climatology of 

 Neio Hampshire^ 1874. 



PREVENTION OP THE FREEZING OF FRUIT IN THE BUD. 



The freezing of fruit in the bud, frequently occasioned by 

 a few warm days succeeded by late frosts, it is said, may be 

 prevented by spreading a thick layer of frozen manure, or of 

 ice or snow, around the trees in February or March, while 

 the ground is firmly frozen. The buds will thus be kept 

 back, since the ground will thaw more slowly, and the roots 

 convey no nutriment to the tree. When frosts are no longer 

 to be feared the covering should be removed. 10 6', August 

 1, 1875, 123. 



SMOKE AS A PROTECTION AGAINST FROST. 



The production of artificial clouds of smoke is a common 

 appliance against frost in France and Germany. M. Vinard 

 recommended a plan which is perfectly successful, and which 

 consists in carefully mixing gas tar with sawdust and old 

 straw, and piling up this mixture in large heaps in the vine- 

 yards. The mixture remains inflammable more than a fort- 

 night, in spite of rain and weather. When required for use 

 smaller heaps are made from the large ones, about two feet 

 in diameter, and distributed in and around the vineyard. 

 If there is little wind these heaps burn freely for about three 

 and a half hours, and produce a very dense smoke. The ar- 

 tificial cloud which thus enwraps the vines considerably de- 

 creases the radiation from the ground, and therefore pre- 

 vents frost, which is greatest tOAvard morning during calm 

 spring nights. 12 A^ XL, 396. 



THE EVAPORATION FROM THE SKINS OF FRUIT. 



By comparing the evaporation from apples with and with- 

 out their outer skins. Just has arrived at the following con- 

 clusions : 1. The resistance which the skin oflers to evapora- 

 tion is quite energetic at low temperatures, but diminishes 

 sensibly above the temperature of 46, until it becomes bare- 

 ly sensible at 97. 2. In the case of pared apples, a covering 

 is formed from the dried exterior cells, which opposes rapid 

 evaporation. 3. This exterior covering is formed gradually, 

 so that its retarding influence is scarcely felt for the first 



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