THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA — FROST PROTECTION. 153 



factory and effective means of warming the orchards yet made 

 use of. It is true, the oil pots make a far hotter fire, and are 

 neither expensive nor difficult to manage, but the deposit of 

 lampblack upon tree and fruit resulting from their use con- 

 demns this system for general use. 



As to the value of smudging, the members of your com- 

 mittee are not so well agreed. Because of less sharply defined 

 results, we find it more difficult to come to definite — at least 

 uniform — conclusions. But, under certain conditions, we are 

 convinced that, properly used, it may be made a valuable 

 means of protection. We think this especially true in locali- 

 ties where the temperature never falls but little below the 

 danger point, and where there are considerable solid areas of 

 young orchards exposed. Here it will work well if the protec- 

 tion is made general. But where the danger is considerable, 

 we think it wise to be prepared to use dry heat even where in 

 connection with the smudge. The benefit from smudging is 

 probably as much from its protecting fruit and trees from the 

 sudden rays of the morning sun after a freezing night as from 

 modifying temperature during the time of danger. 



Experience demonstrates that flooding or running water in 

 connection with dry heat or smudging is a valuable adjunct. 

 One of the committee who has been testing this matter care- 

 fuUv for three years is disposed to think that the direct benefit 

 from running water is overestimated by the majority of grow- 

 ers. Its value in putting orchards in condition to withstand 

 quite severe weather safely is unquestioned, but the committee 

 are inclined to think that entire dependence upon this method 

 will occasionally result in serious loss to those who trust to 

 this means alone, especially when used in young orchards. 



As to the number of baskets needed when coal is used, we 

 find the most decided and satisfactory results have been gained 

 where from twenty to fifty coal fires have been used to each 

 acre. If intelligently and energetically used, this plan will 

 never fail, except when the mercury drops below 24° for a long 

 while, and even then it is believed the larger portion of a crop 

 may be saved if anything like a general use of such fires be 

 secured. The smaller number of fires named has in numerous 

 cases, and even when a man was working alone, secured a rise 

 of from three to five degrees and saved a crop. Can it be 

 doubted that fifty fires per acre used in every orchard would 



