352 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



one side with only a small amount of coal directly over 

 it; the fires break through more readily and the coal 

 does not all fire at once. In refilling all coal heaters it 

 is well to place the new coal on one side to avoid check- 

 ing the heat any more than necessary. One of the most 

 convenient methods of refilling at night is to draw the 

 coal to the orchard in a wagon or sled, and as one man 

 drives the team and fills the buckets, other men carry 

 the coal to the heaters. 



Thermometers. The grower who intends to equip his 

 orchard with the best means of frost protection will not 

 overlook good thermometers. Electric frost-alarms, com- 

 monly called thermostats, are on the market. They may 

 be placed in the orchard and connected with an electric 

 bell in the house and set to ring the bell when the tem- 

 perature reaches the danger point. In actual use these 

 alarms have not been very satisfactory, and many per- 

 sons who have tried them have reached the conclusion 

 that they are not to be trusted. A good thermometer 

 will serve the purpose, but though it necessitates having 

 a watchman, this is the safer plan. A good crop is worthy 

 of such vigilance; and by placing thermometers in different 

 parts of the orchard more reliable readings are secured. 

 The fruit-grower should not rely on cheap thermometers. 

 Buy tested instruments, and, if possible, check them up 

 with a good government thermometer. 



The United States Weather Bureau offices often help 

 the fruit-grower by predicting cold waves far enough in 

 advance that the grower may be on his guard. Localities 

 that are fortunate enough to have an office of the Bureau 

 in the immediate vicinity come to rely on the official in 



