A FROSTY VISITATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19814, 4 December 1919, Page 7

A FROSTY VISITATION.

DAMAGE TO CARDENS. FIVE TO TEN DECREES. The warning given in the ''Star’’ last evening in the weather forecast supplied by Mr AVoolcs was very much appreciated by many householders who have cottage gardens. Mr AV notes predicted a severe frost, and this gave the growers of vegetables and fruit a chance to effect, a good save by covering up the plants and trees which arc affected by frost. Potatoes and runner beans, for instance, aro easily affected, and in a small garden it is not difficult to cover them up. There was much disappointment, expressed by gardeners .who had not taken precautions when thev saw this morning that tho frost had relentlessly “ out ” the plants. Those who, warned in time, got to work industriously, had the .satisfaction of seeing their gardens practically undamaged. The frost came along fairly late at night, and must have continued through to the early hours The Observatory registered five degrees, hut on the high exposed land at Fendalton ten degrees were recorded. Other districts would range between these two figures. Tho damage done is probably nofc severe. Crops which aro well grown have considerable powers of resistance, and though potatoes and beans may have looked “black’’.this morning, they will soon recover. A heavy frost a mouth ago would have done ranch more damage. NORTH CANTERBURY. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE. (From Our Correspondent.'. AVAIKARI, December 4. A severe frost did serious damage throughout North Canterbury last night, especially in tlio Oxford district and other pin ts where tho temperature is affected by Ipgh altitudes and ncarness to the suol.-eapped ranges. The greater part of the early potatoes were cut to tho ground, and French beans, tomatoes, and in some instances peas, suffered severely in many cases. Proteeting tho plants proved futile, the frost, being intense enough to penetrate the covering. Damage to orchards is also reported in most parts of the .country. The wheat is now in flower and a repetition of the disastrous effects of the frost of November 30, 1916, is feared.