A DISASTROUS FROST

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19628, 24 October 1933, Page 6

A DISASTROUS FROST

FRUIT CROPS RUINED VISITATION IN CENTRAL OTAGO By Telegraph Prase Association DUNEDIN. October 23. A disastrous frost which resulted in the complete destruction of fruit in the Earnscieugh and Alexandra orchards and spread havoc in other parts of the Central Otago district occurred late on Sunday night. During the last three weeks several frosts have been combated by the orchardists who had managed to save much of their crops, but the final devastating blow, fell early this morning when the thermometer showed 16 degrees of fro6t in the Earnscieugh and Alexandra districts and 131 degrees at Clyde. All efforts to save the Irult by means of fire pots were futile. Even orchards Which by reason of their sheltered positions have previously escaped the full severity of the frosts were not so fortunate on thla occasion, with a result that thaw will be practically no fruit crop from Central Otago this year. o-ore fruit, apples and pears suffered alike, and instead of the promise of an abundant yield owners are now left to contemplate the sorry spectacle of blackened trees and to realise that their year's work has gone for nothing in a single night. Orchards at Roxborough were more fortunate as only three degrees of frest was recorded there, but it is yet too early to discover whether any damage has been done to the trees or not. Potato plots and strawberry beds suffered severely from the frost. Orchards on the higher levels were extensively damaged by the snow which fell over the week-end, while a sever* frost which was experienced at Ranfurly, where household gardens were ruined. Indicated that the visitation was fairly general. POTATOES BLACKENED. 89 Tplegriph—Prm Association INVERCARGILL, October 23. Considerable damage has been dona to early potato crops in Southland oy frosts during the last two nights. In Invercargill four degrees were registered on Saturday night and five last night. Except in isolated cases where effective coverings had bean placed over the young plants, they were almost completely blackened.