WEATHER BUREAU. 81 



zona, Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada. A demand for an extension of 

 this service to other important western grazing areas continu d, 

 while the corn and wheat region service should be extended to some 

 important grain States where the lack of funds has prevented 

 extension. 



Fruit-frost service. — A special appropriation of $9,000 was pro- 

 vided by Congress for the extension of the fruit-frost service of the 

 bureau during the fiscal year, and as a result this service was materi- 

 ally improved. Thrt^e special representatives were assigned to this 

 work in the citrus and deciduous fruit districts of the Pacific coast. 

 Active operations were maintained in a number of places in Cali- 

 fornia, at Medford, Oreg., and at Spokane and Yakima, AVash., 

 under the supervision of special employees. 



This service was of special value to citrus fruit growers in south- 

 ern California, where the severest freeze in many years was es- 

 p.^rienced in January, resulting in enormous loss. Forecasts of mini- 

 mum temperatures during the period of critical weather conditions 

 were remarkably accurate, and the cooperation of the bureau with 

 the fruit growers was instrumental in saving much fruit that would 

 otherwise have been lost. The appreciation of this service by the 

 citrus interests is indicated by expressions in the following communi- 

 cations rtceived by the bureau: 



[From the Tomona Fruit Growers' Exchange.] 

 Confirming our conversation regarding tlie value of your service to the citrus 

 industry of tliis district ; we find in the district covered by tlie Pomona station 

 tliat tliere are approximately 7,000 acres equipped for firing and making use of 

 your forecast. Tlie value of tlie crop in this acreage is fully $2,800,000. There 

 are within this territory about 9,000 acres not prepared to protect against frost. 

 The crop from the unprotected acreage is practically a total loss, besides injury 

 to the trees of a large proportion of this unprotected acreage. 



The growers having equipment and using your service burned about 1,380,000 

 gallons of oil and we consider the information you have furnished has prevented 

 imnecessary burning of a much larger quantity. 



We feel that the investigation of frost prevention being carried on by the 

 Weather Bureau is of great importance and we hope there will be nothing to 

 interfere with the continuation of the work. 



[From the Foritana Farms Co.] 



In reply to your recent inquiry concerning the value of the special service of 

 the Weather Bureau in this section, I would say that growers hereabouts regard 

 the service as invaluable and indispensable. 



The action of this company in voting to subscribe a sum of money at the 

 beginning of the frost season to assist in this work may be taken as a reliable 

 indication that such a service as this is needed. 



During the recent freeze that caused so much damage to the citrus industry, 

 authentic temperature records taken in this locality were of very great value 

 as an indication of the degree of cold fruit in this locality was subjected to. 



We trust that this service may be continued during future years and assure 

 you of our support in your work. 



After the close of the frost season in southern California, special 

 bureau representatives rendered successful services in the central 

 and northern Pacific States, particularly in the vicinity of Fresno, 

 in the Santa Clara Valley, Calif., in the Medford district of Oregon, 

 and in the fruit sections of eastern Washington. 



Other fruit-frost activities during the year were as follows : 

 Ilicaco, Wash. — The cranberry industry has assumed large propor- 

 tions near the mouth of the Columbia River. Little interest has 



