156 STATE BOARD OF HOKTICULTURE. 



Some theories are proven to have little practical value, and 

 members of your committee have modified their views some- 

 what ,ip consequence. No preconceived notions have been 

 allowed to stand in the way of a thoroughly practical study of 

 the facts as they exist, to the end that the growers may not, for 

 the lack of definite knowledge as to the direction their efforts 

 should take, neglect reasonable precautions hereafter to insure 

 the safety of their crops. These, therefore, are our conclusions: 



i^irs(— There is no doubt whatever that the temperature of 

 our orchards may be materially raised by the use of dry heat. 



Second — The radiation of the earth's heat can be very consid- 

 erably lessened by moist smudges, when these are started early 

 enough and are properly managed. 



Third — The possibility of raising the dew-point on one of the 

 dry cold nights peculiar to our climate, sufficiently to prevent 

 damage, by means of steam-producing apparatus, seems 

 impracticable. 



Fourth — Fruit and trees can undoubtedly be saved, even in 

 the coldest sections, by covering them with cloth or matting; 

 but the expense involved makes this method impossible on the 

 part of the ordinary grower. 



Fifth — It is found that the temperature in an old seedling 

 grove, or where tall windbreaks afford to smaller fruit trees a 

 like protection, is almost invariably one or two degrees 

 higher than in exposed orchards in the immediate neighbor- 

 hood. This fact seems to thoroughly upset the theory strongly 

 held by many intelligent growers that the tall, well-located 

 windbreak is a disadvantage; the contrary seeming to be the 

 truth. 



Sixth — It is found that the temperature twenty feet above 

 the ground is from one to two degrees higher than at the sur- 

 face, and that, as a rule, when the cold is severe enough to 

 injure the ripest fruit, fifty feet from the ground there is almost 

 invariably a temperature above the freezing point of water. 



Prof. Zumbro, whohas given special attention to this matter, 

 finds that at the height of fifty feet the temperature is from 

 five to ten degrees higher than at the surface, when the air is 

 not in motion. When there is any considerable breeze it varies 

 but little. 



Seventh — Our conclusion is that, all things considered, the 

 coal baskets, sufficiently numerous, will prove the most satis- 



