264 



The Principles of Fruit-growing 



parts sawdust is said to make an excellent material for 

 a smudge. 



In Europe, particularly in the vineyard regions, smudg- 

 ing is an accepted practice, and there are patented com- 

 positions in the way of fuels. One of the systems is that 

 of M. Lestout, of Bordeaux: It consists of little cubical 

 boxes, 20 centimeters (a little less than 8 inches) square, 



FIG. 95. Smudging a vineyard in France. 



weighing seven kilos (fifteen pounds four ounces), and cost- 

 ing about 75 centimes (15 cents) apiece. These are placed 

 around the field to be protected at a distance of 10 meters 

 (32 feet 10 inches) apart, and are easily ignited from a 

 torch. The fire emits a black smoke, which can be ren- 

 dered more dense by pouring water upon the smudges. 

 After a while, the columns of smoke fuse into a thick 

 cloud, which settles upon the field, and elevates the tem- 

 perature by 2 or 3. The fires can be instantly put out 

 by an extinguisher. M. Lestout declared some years ago 

 that 300 smudges, costing 225 francs ($45), will protect a 

 vineyard 3,000 meters square i. e., one containing 900 



