62 Selim Lemström. 



would yield, at 240 Fm per hect., 120,000 Fin, so the cost would amoiint to 

 4,2 per thousand. The average for 10 years, assnining that frost occurs 4 

 tiiues, is, therefore 1,7 per tliousand. 



We are well aware that such an area as 500 hectares of ciiltivated 

 ground, liable to be injured by frost, is of rare occurrence, but the method 

 can, of course, be applied on smaller areas, even of 10 or 20 hectares; it is, 

 however, clear tliat it must dépend on local circumstances. 



We have not had the opportunity of confirming this method by experi- 

 ments, and altliough it seems to hold forth a probability of success, it ought 

 not to be applied without some further triai, certainly it must not be looked 

 upon as unmistakably leading to a satisfactory result. 



The preliminary experiments should be arranged in this manner: 



the areas susceptible to frost and chosen for experiments, should be as 

 large as possible and the places where the torches are set up should be 

 chosen so that shelter is given to cultivated areas according to the tirst method, 

 at the same time that the outside and intermediate parts are studied and exa- 

 mined with legard to the phenomena appearing there. This manner of pro- 

 ceeding will lesult in certain shelter for tive large surfaces i. e. those where 

 the torches are placed. During the years these experiments are made every 

 measui'e should be taken to spread a knowledge of the torches and of their 

 usefulness. 



On the other hand, it is clear that if this method proves successful, the 

 cost of piotection is brought down to a point whicli makes Insurance against 

 damage by frost possible. The protection against frost should lie in this case 

 on the Insurance Co. 



The committee for the preliminary society, mentioned in the préface, has 

 found by expérience, gained in the latter part of the last decennary, that the 

 agriculturist, in case of frost, ivill hardly make up Ms mind to take these 

 protective measures. 



This proceeds from several reasons. If frost were a yearly occurrence, 

 the agricultiu-ist would most likely be prepared for it, but as several years slip 

 by without an attack from the enemy, he is lulled into secimty, and only 

 when the damage is done, he wakes to the fact that he might have averted 

 the misfortune, and then he seeks a salve for his conscience in the false sup- 

 position, "that it is not certain after all that the torches would have been of 

 any avail". We have found this kind of reasoning among the educated class 

 of land-proprieters, how much offener must it be the case among the peasants ! 

 In summer the mind of the agriculturist is occupied with so many kinds 



