Inclement Weather^ Diseases^ Etc. 263 



extends horizontally all over the vineyard. This smoke 

 produces the effect of a cloud, and prevents white frost 

 by opposing radiation. In vineyards exposed to the 

 rising sun it will be advisable to keep up this smoke till 

 about ten o'clock A. M,, so as to delay the action of 

 the sun on those plants which may have been attacked. 

 It has been said that white frosts occur only under the 

 influence of a perfect stillness of the atmosphere, and 

 that, under these circumstances, the smoke, rising ver- 

 tically, is unable to prevent them. This objection is 

 true in theory, but it has been exaggerated. It is very 

 seldom, indeed, that the currents of air are insufficient 

 to lay a column of smoke. Be this as it may, we know 

 that this process has given very good results in some 

 vineyards, and even, in Auvergne, in saving. the crops of 

 large apple orchards. Besides, this method costs but a 

 trifle, and only requires a little attention during the pe- 

 riod of white frosts. 



[This smoking plan is quite feasible, and has been prac- 

 ticed with the happiest results in this country, for the object 

 here recommended. The peach crop sometimes suffers from 

 a late frost, after the blossoms have set, and the fruit has begun 

 to swell, but while the leaves are still too small to afford any 

 protection to the tender germs. Under such circumstances, 

 a sufficient volume of smoke to the windward has saved the 

 whole crop from destruction. 



A fog rising opportunely, has acted in a similar manner, by 

 arresting the radiation, and also by preventing the access of 

 the sun's rays.] 



Some land-owners in Burgundy and Touraine have 

 been benefitted by the use of another process, which is 

 as follows. It consists in putting together the vine- 



