272 ANNU.1L BEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the prosont, but for future years, for (liey enabled the planters to save the 

 pee<i cane. But for that we would have nad to reduce our cane acreage 

 next year. 



The cmmty correspondents of the Louisiana Planter furnish some valuable 

 information on this point. Thus from Iberville we learn that a majority of the 

 planters heeded the warning at once, began to windrow the moment the 

 Weather Bureau informed them that a cold wave was on its way here, and 

 they thus saved their crop. 



In Assumption a number of planters did not believe the warning, and will 

 lose heavily in consequence of their failure to windrow. But the strongest 

 evidence comes from Lafayette, where the Planter's correspondent remarks: 



" Fortunately the United States Weather Bureau gave timely warning of the 

 coming freeze, and those planters who had standing cane were able to put it 

 in windrows before the cold blast struck the county. A few. however, were 

 caught, not fully appreciating the warning and trusting to luck that, after all. 

 Uncle Sam's prediction as to destructive cold approaching might not come true. 

 It is therefore quite certain that there will be some further loss, not only of 

 standing cane, but of much exposed in heap rows." 



Probably next time they will give better lieeding to these warnings. The 

 weather reports have vindicated themselves and r)roved their value; and with 

 this protection and notice properly utilized by the planters, the cane crop will 

 be bettor protected against sudden changes in weather conditions and the cane 

 crops made more certain. The Weather Bureau in its predictions, especially 

 as far as freezes go, has made great progress in the last few years, and we 

 may hope for still further improvement as the science of meteorologj- i)rogresse.s. 



The following letters tell further of the use made of the warnings. 

 From W. W. and J. A. Ventress, Granada plantation, Sunshine, 

 Iberville Parish, La. : 



The warning issued on the 2Sth of November has been of very valuable serv- 

 ice to us, as it enabled us to windrow our cane, thereby saving almost all of 

 the crop. The cane now in windrow is as good as the day it was put down, 

 and we are still finding good eyes in the cane, which we find may serve for 

 seed cane. We hope that the Government will continue this service and that 

 we will be able to get the warnings promptly as heretofore. 



From R. S. Moore, Riverside orange grove, Naomi, Plaquemines 

 Pariah, La. : 



This is the first time I have had the opportunity of writing you to thank 

 you for the very valuable weather warnings of the freezes of November 30 and 

 December 1. 



I received your forecasts in plenty of time to prepare against any loss, and I 

 am happy to say that I saved $4,000 worth of fruit. I have always considered 

 the Weather Bureau as most important to farmers and fruit growers, and 

 this last freeze, in which I was timely warned, proves its great value. 



DECEMBER, 1911, FREEZE IN CALIFORNIA. 



A very severe frost and freeze occurred in southern California 

 during the early morning hours of December 26 and 27, 1911. The 

 citrus crop, valued at $40,000,000, suffered damage to the amount of 

 about $6,000,000, owing to inadequacy of facilities for general 

 smudging. Wherever smudging was general, not only the fruit, but 

 the trees and blooms as well, were saved. But for the frost warnings 

 of the Weather Bureau and the cooperative efforts of the orange 

 growers the loss would have approximated $20,000,000. Mr. A. F. 

 Call, of Corona, Cal., writes in appreciation of the warning as fol- 

 lows: 



The frost warning sent nie about 4 p. m. December 25 enabled me to get 

 ready in some orchards not then prepared and to save crops worth at least 

 $10,000. Where smudging was done, it was a complete success. 



