Frost Prevention in Orchards

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3481, 9 August 1937, Page 5

Frost Prevention in Orchards

y INVESTIGATIONS IN UNITED ( STATES OF AMERICA. MB. LLOYD WILLIAMS REPORTS TO FRUITGROWERS. 1 Meetings to receive the report of j Mr Lloyd Williams, Orekard Instructor, on his visit, have been held in Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell, during the past week, under the auspices of the local Fruitgrowers' Associations. I There were record attendances of growers and the meetings were most enthusiastic, it being quite evident that every practical avenue was investii gated during the short time at Mr. Williams's disposal. The States of Washington, Oregon and California were visited and contact made with , leading authorities on the subject, with many growers, and with others interested. The disastrous frosts of last winter affected orange growers to such an extent that renewed activity is now being shown in California in research into improved Frost Prevention methods. Durng this period about two V million barrels of oil were burned in many different kinds of heaters. The faith growers have in prevention methods, and the quantity of oil consumed, is illustrated by the statement that, if these barrels were placed end to end along the railway line, they would extend from Invercargill to Whangarei. Where sufficient fuel was available, 'and* where the work was carried out efficiently, full crops were harvested, in spite of the fact that this was the hardest winter ever experienced by California .growers, whj were quite emphatic that the expenditure was warranted. Apart from the generally recognised methods, many novel ideas were being j tried, said Mr Williams, with varying success, some being entirely impracticable. Amongst the methods he inves- { tfgated were the value of smoke, water, electricity, wind machines, lard pail heaters (similar to those now being used by several Central Otago growers), tall and low stack oil heaters, butane gas, a central heating plant (distributing hot air throughout ' the orchard), coal, coke, wood and similar substances, various types of briquettes and briquette heaters (carbon, petroleum, coke and coal). Other aspects connected with frost control included investigation of damaging temperatures, thermometers and thermometer shelters, and automatic alarms. Mr Williams mentioned the importance of this side of the problem, and emphasised the necessity for j using only the most reliable instru- I ments, which should be housed in properly constructed shelters easily made by any grower. The information provided by the United States Weather Bureau, through their officers trained in frost service work, is evidently something to be marvelled at. Growers depend entirely upon the advice broadcasted by the officers who are stationed in the various districts. At the conclusion of each meeting, many questions were asked, and were answered by Mr Williams.