Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-06-26
Jnck Fro., Klllea br Llghtnlng.


In some parts Of the State when the
season is more than usually forward q
tramping frost does bad work in the first
week in April in some Of the lowland
vineyards.
To prevent damage from this source
various expedients have been resorted to,
the latest Of which is the application oi
electricity to conquer Jack Frost. The
| San Francisco Merchant hes the follow.
ing interesting account of the new pro-
cess:
The Merchant has previously referre |
to the frost alarm introduced here by
Mr.. +. Il. Drummond, OF Glen Ellen.
A wire connected with thermometer
in the lowest part Of bis vineyard.
most subject to frosts, gave an alarm in
his house when the Thermometer fell
to certain degree. Mr.. Thomas
Is. Glaister, of Sonoma, has con-
ceiyed an idea which bids fair to out
frost the original freezer. 1t is simply
the same idea and principle ON a more
extended scale. Mr.. Glaister's idea is
that If the wire can signal the approach
Of frest to a mans house, and so start
the alarm, it can be made to do more
and better work. In the frost season
every vineyardist has his fires ready set,
anticipating the approach OF the com.
mon enemy. Mr.. Glaister's plan 10
to have an electric wire connect.
ing from the main battery ct
the thermometer with each
separate bonfire, so that when the tenn
perature goes down to 81 degrees the
electric spark will be carried to every
heap and SO start the fires all around the
vineyard, while the owner, without
rousing up all hands. getting the coffee
ready. and any delay in starting the in
dividual fires, can stand complacently at
his window inside the house, watch the
fires starting and retire to roost again,
with the satisfaction OF knowing that his
vineyard will be well protected before
the enemy's arrival.
The experiment has been tried on a
small scale at Sonoma on three or four
piles OF firing placed fifteen feet apart.
There it was entirely successful. The
points at the wires are held in position
by piece OF cord fastened on each side
OF the heap to be burned. The fire of
course burns the cord and the wire
springs out to one side, thus saving the
points for future use. The point Of the
wire connects with a small piece OF
gun.cotton enclosed in paper that is sat
urated with kerosene or some other
inaammable material which will ensure
the fire igniting. This should be COW
cred by an old tin, of which there are
always plenty to be found on any vine
yard, to protect the points, where the
electric spark connects with the gun
cotton, from becoming damp and useless
through the effects of fog and dew. The
estimated cost OF the whole appliance.
including wire, battery, thermometer
and arranging the same, is from 500 to
$50 for q vineyard of 200 acres
A larger battery would answer the pur-
pose for several adjoining vineyards,
Thus reducing the individual expense.
This figure means, of course. an eco
nomicai method OF working the wire
without needless outlay for new or fancy
posts. We hope sincerely that the ex.
periments, tried by Mr.. Glaister, will be
conducted on a large scale. If they
prove successful it will certainly be Of
the greatest benefit and Importance to all
yineyardists.