352 CITRUS FRUITS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



FIRES. 



The protection of citrus trees by means of open fires 

 has been successfully accomplished both in Florida and 

 California. The materials most commonly used are 

 coal and oil in California, and wood in Florida. 



Wood Fires. In Florida, the wood is probably the 

 cheapest material at the present time. Wood is abundant, 

 easily and cheaply secured, and in consequence will be 

 most commonly used for some time to come. The pro- 

 tection of an acre (80-100) of orange trees with wood fires 

 in Florida, has been variously estimated at from ten to 

 fifteen dollars per acre per year. The total cost in any 

 given winter will, of course, depend upon the number of 

 times the fires have to be lighted. Six or seven is about the 

 usual number. 



There is considerable difference in the kind of wood 

 used by different growers. In size it varies all the way 

 from eighteen-inch stove wood to logs six or eight feet 

 long and a foot or a foot and a half in diameter. Some 

 have kept the stumps and roots, which are usually burned 

 in clearing the land, for use in firing. In the more ex- 

 posed regions, as in North Florida, for instance, large 

 wood should be given the preference; while farther south, 

 smaller fires, one for each tree may answer as well. All 

 things considered, however, cordwood is probably the 

 most convenient. 



Plenty of wood should be provided for immediate use 

 and an ample reserve supply should be close at hand. 

 When large fires are used, they should be placed close 

 together around the grove. Freezes are usually accom- 

 panied by high winds. The practice in Florida has often 

 been to make ample provision for protection on the north 



