CLIMATOLOGY 



27 



problems at the present time is to secure the right 

 kind. Experience agrees that only the best grade of oil 

 should be used, oils with a paraffin base being 

 greatly preferred to those having an asphalt base. 

 The best of these pass under various commercial 

 names such as "smudge distillate" and *'slop distil- 

 late." Oils v^hich leave a considerable amount of 

 unburned residue are difficult to use and less eco- 

 nomical than the higher priced oils. In many cases, 

 also, the oils are found to be mixed w^ith a greater or 



SIDE-HILL STORAGK FOR OIL 



less proportion of water, which is a serious detri- 

 ment. The water makes the fires sputter, and in 

 many cases causes the pots to boil over. In every 

 case, of course, the water absorbs a large amount of 

 heat from the fire during its evaporation, thus wast- 

 ing the fuel enormously. 



At the present time it does not seem possible to 

 direct any fruit grower to any particular brand of oil 

 which he can buy with the certainty that it will be 

 perfect. It is necessary, therefore, for every man to 

 take the most stringent precautions on his own be- 

 half, remembering that the high-priced oils are 

 pretty certain to be better than the cheap, heavy oils. 



