ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 151 



trees have been much injured. It is impossible to tell at the 

 present time how much injury has been done. Certainly all 

 the soft wood of the late autumn growth has been killed. Many 

 low, budded trees have doubtless been killed down to the stock 

 on which they were budded. Low trees are usually worse in- 

 jured than tall trees, and budded trees worse than seedlingSj 

 which possess more hardiness on account of greater uniformity 

 in growth of roots, trunks and branches. Our severe injurious 

 frosts here in the great valley occur only after dry autumns, and 

 then only in the latter part of a dry December and the earlier 

 part of a rainless January. In our usually rainy autumn weather 

 we have fogs or clouds at night, that dispel frosts and injurious 

 cold. But when the weather is cloudless during December and 

 the early part of January, the cold becomes more and more in- 

 tense, night after night, until finally ice will form on still water 

 an inch thick in a single night. Though this is an obstacle, it 

 is not a barrier to successful orange culture in our valley, as is 

 clearly demonstrated by a little careful observation among the 

 oldest bearing orange trees in almost all parts of the great val- 

 ley. But it makes the question of protection from frost one 

 of great importance. I trust that I have above pointed out 

 with sufficient clearness the indications showing the approach of 

 weather that will necessitate some form of protection to young 

 trees or those not thoroughly acclimated. 



MANNER OF PROTECTING TREES. 



"After many years of experience, I have repudiated the idea of 

 covering the trees, as I have discovered a better, cheaper and 

 more expeditious way of accomplishing the desired result. Save 

 the manure from the stable during the entire year. Then, say 

 some time in November, if the weather be cold and dry, haul 

 your pile of stable manure into your orchard and pile it in piles 

 two or three feet in hight, like small hay-cocks. Make a pile 

 near each tree, but don't let the manure touch the bodies of the 

 trees. Make the piles compact and a foot away from the trees. 

 When frost begins, pour a bucket of water on the top of each 

 pile ; this will set the manure to heating, and cause it quickly 

 to throw out an amount of heat and steam that will be a better 



