IN FLORIDA 23 



from the sea by the wind, proving very destructive to foliage and 

 small limbs, especially on the side of vegetation towards the 

 wind. At such times forests that are not overthrown may be 

 almost destroyed, partly by the salt spray and in part, per- 

 haps, by the passage of electricity from the clouds to the earth. 

 This salt spray does not especially affect vegetation when there 

 is an abundant rainfall or at any great distance inland. 



Most of these hurricanes originate in the Caribbean or to the 

 eastward of it, moving to the west and north until they reach 

 the Tropic of Cancer, when they veer to the northward and 

 finally to the northeastward. The wind may blow from any 

 direction. 



Much has been published on the subject of protecting plants 

 from frost and a good many devices have been used for this 

 purpose, but so far as my experience goes I cannot help acknowl- 

 edging that we can do but little to defend ourselves from severe 

 freezing. Almost any kind of covering will ward off a light 

 frost, but in case of a sharp freeze such protection does but 

 little good. If by any means the morning sun can be kept 

 from falling on frosted plants they may come through with but 

 little injury; therefore tall trees or a forest standing to the 

 eastward of one's garden should be preserved by all means. 

 If an open. space lies to the westward of such a forest the cold 

 air during a time of frost may settle there and a heavy frost 

 result. 



A good many growers have installed irrigation works on their 

 grounds, and if water from an ordinary well can be thrown on 

 vegetation during a moderate frost it will be protected, but in 

 case of a very hard freeze it will form thick ice all over the plants 

 and the chances are that they will be ruined. When once water 

 is turned on, it must be kept going until all danger of frost is over. 

 One generally has tender plants scattered all over his place and 

 his irrigation works are not sufficiently powerful to keep up a 

 flow of water over the whole all night. It is claimed that if 

 water is sprayed over frozen plants very early in the morning 

 it will save them but I have never had much success with this 

 plan. 



A clouded sky at night is an excellent protection against frost, 



