96 THE CULTIVATION OF THE 



the extremes of heat and cold, and followed by a back- 

 ward spring, with equal temperatures. Particularly dis- 

 astrous to the crop on the peninsula are, warm spells in 

 February and March, followed by early spring and 

 variable weather. As to protection against frost, I am 

 satisfied that by smudges, the temperature in the parts 

 affected by the smoke, can be reduced from one to three 

 degrees, but I do not look upon them as practical in 

 large culture, yet they may do good if applied to a given 

 limited number of trees. 



The effect of frost on the bud is easily seen when it 

 has destroyed its vitality — cut open the bud longitudi- 

 nally with a sharp knife. If it is alive and healthy you 

 see the well-defined embryo peach, a little more shaded 

 in very light green than its outer surroundings, with the 

 very centre still a little darker green. This is a healthy 

 bud. Should the frost have destroyed its vitality, this 

 little centre shows itself as a dark blue or black speck, 

 larger or smaller as the case may be, but the smallest 

 indication of a dark centre indicates the certain death of 

 the fruit. Through the late autumn and winter, a good 

 prognosis of the crops can be made by going through 

 the orchard, cutting many buds, and taking the percent- 

 age of those injured. If the twigs and small branches 

 have been injured by cold, of course they shrivel and the 

 sap never reaches them. 



THE CURLED LEAF 



exists now and again in orchards, but I can't say that 



