FROST DAMAGE TO ORCHARDS 



In Ontario, Michigan, Kansas, and other places where win- 

 ters are severe, growers have found it practicable to protect 

 their more tender fruit trees by training the roots to extend 

 only in two directions; then, every fall before the ground 

 freezes up, they dig a trench on one of the sides which has no 

 roots, pull the tree over, and cover top and all with straw and 

 earth. Peach and other trees will stand this treatment and 

 will yield well under it. Orcharding is hard business under 

 such circumstances, but growers in cold localities may find 

 this method profitable when fruit brings high prices at local 

 markets and where it is wanted at home. 



SUMMARY 



Cold and cool weather put quality into fruit, hence higher 

 elevations and northern latitudes produce higher quality fruit 

 than lower elevations and southerly latitudes. 



Each mile north or south equals eight feet of elevation; or 

 each degree of latitude equals 500 feet of elevation. 



It is not necessary to lose any crops from spring frosts. 



Proper care in locating trees, in cultivating, etc., will help 

 prevent frost damage. Nearby bodies modify temperature. 

 Air drainage is the prime frost-damage preventive, and is 

 more important than exposure or soil or elevation. Air-drainage 

 is governed by the lay of the land by comparative elevations 

 and by draws, shoulders of hills, slopes, hollows, valleys, etc. 



Test your orchard location with reliable thermometers. 



Windbreaks prevent frost damage when they "break" the 

 force of wind and do not altogether stop its motion. A piece 

 of woods will cause a dead air-space, in which blossoms will 

 surely freeze. 



Artificial heating, when rightly done, is effective in prevent- 

 ing frost damage. Begin the work before the temperature 

 reaches the danger point. 



Get plenty of moisture into the air by wetting the fuel, or 

 spraying trees with water. Moisture in the air lowers the danger 

 point and prevents frost damage. 



Quick thawing is worse than bad freezing. Cover frozen 

 blossoms with smoke and prevent the sun from striking them 

 in the morning. 



Adding moisture and insuring slow thawing are the methods 

 you have of preventing frost danger, you cannot do much 

 by directly adding heat to the air. 



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