134 TRUCK FARMING 



his income from what seemingly would have been a loss. Another 

 beneficial effect of frost is that in this tropical climate nearly all 

 insects are at once destroyed for the time being and such crops 

 as are greatly hampered by them can be grown without ex- 

 periencing any trouble from this source for some months to 

 follow. One can always rest assured that when frost touches this 

 section it has wiped out everything north of here .and that the 

 market on all perishables will advance strongly in consequence. 



Inasmuch as frost in this territory is infrequent and light, it 

 often happens that only the foliage of tender growth is damaged. 

 In this case liberal applications of nitrate of soda will often have 

 the effect of restoring this foliage in a comparatively short time, 

 thereby bringing the plants, if otherwise thrifty and healthy, back 

 to their original state of vigor in a very short time. 



I can here relate from my own experience an instance wherein 

 I had several acres of beans badly scorched by an unexpected 

 frost in fact, there were large parts of the field that seemed 

 entirely destroyed. The sun had hardly risen until I was on my 

 way to our nearest fertilizer dealer, from whom I at once bought 

 all the nitrate of soda at hand and before night of the same day 

 had made liberal applications to the entire field. Before ten 

 days had clasped I had the original foliage of this crop restored 

 and the profits in this case were as high as $2,000 per acre. We 

 at this same time saw numerous instances in which this same 

 remedy could have been applied in the neighborhood, but \vhere, 

 through want of care or knowledge, mildew and other diseases 

 quickly ruined the crops. 



For further protection, the grower must depend upon artificial 

 appliances. These appliances are designed to produce the fol- 

 lowing effects or results : 



To prevent a rapid radiation of heat from the earth. 



To artificially charge the air with moisture by applying a 

 light spray to the cold air. 



To create artificial drafts whereby the warmer air is mixed 

 and the cold air is not allowed to settle to the surface of the earth. 



To actually cover or roof the plants. 



