6 



is true ; but when the grove is situated on moderately high 

 and dry land, not in the vicinity of marshes, and properly 

 protected with timber belts, we believe, it matters but little 

 where it is located below 31, in Florida. Frost is perhaps 

 more likely to occur in the extreme northern and middle 

 portions of the State, but is more destructive on low wet 

 places, not suited to orange culture. Undoubtedly, the 

 most attractive locations are in the vicinity of the St. Johns 

 river, but that is not saying that there are no other good or 

 desirable places in the State. 



Much stress has heretofore been laid on water protec- 

 tion, by nearly all writers who have written on the subject. 

 They contend that a large body of water located on the 

 west or north of a grove is pretty sure to prevent injury 

 by frost. This, however, depends upon circumstances. In 

 case of frosty weather, if there is wind from the northwest 

 or north, in passing over a large body of water, the tem- 

 perature of which is much above the atmosphere, the warm 

 vapor is carried by the wind and has a tendency to tem- 

 perize to the extent of from two to five degrees ; but 

 where the atmosphere is still, very little difference will 

 be observed in the temperature on either side of the 

 water. Frost usually goes in streaks, like wind storms, and 

 may be noticed in some localities while others equally 

 exposed are exempt. 



The best location for an orange grove is one entirely 

 surrounded by a belt of tall timber trees. If this cannot 

 be had, it should certainly be protected on the north, east 

 and south. There is more damage done to the trees and 

 growing crop by the wind than from all other causes what- 

 soever. The damaging winds in this State are from the 

 north, northeast, east and southeast, and groves exposed on 



