The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-26
THE FREEZE IN FLORIDA
The Effects Of the Cold Snap Were
Not Exaggerated
Official Report Of the Government Weather
Bureau--The Coolest Winter
Ever Known

The weather and crop bulletin OF the
Florida weather service, compiled under
the direction of the Weather Bureau OF
the United States Department of Agri-
culture, has been received, and gives per-
haps the best and most authentic state
ment of the results of the disastrous cold
wave which swept over that state in De-
cember and February, by which the or
ange crop was ruined and even the trees
killed. The report Is for the week ending
March 18th, and is as follows:
The winter of 1894 -95 opened very mild.
The temperature, which was in excess at
the beginning of December continued to
accumulate almost uninterruptedly until
the 9th, when a severe cold wave began to
be felt, and on the morning of December
29th the lowest Temperature since the be-
ginning of observations by, the Weather
naming ungathered were frozen or badly
frosted and rendered unfit for market, and
the trees were greatly damaged.
The rainfall for December was less than
half the normal amount for the state.
January opened very cold, the lowest
temperature for the month occurring on
the first day at a majority of stations.
The middle part of the month gave about
average January weather and the closing
days were unusually warm, but the tenn
perature for the month as whole was
about normal for the State.
The rainfall for January was about the
usual amount.
February 1895 was not only the coolest
February, but also the coolest month in
the meteorological history of the state.
The mean temperature for the month was
1916 degrees below normal. On February
8th severe cold wave swept over the
state, doing great damage to orange. trees
,,h NJ hat iv,,a in, u RI
be more seriously injured by cold than at
the December freeze.
For the winter as whole the tempera
ture averaged four degrees below normal
and the precipitation fell about half an
inch short of the average amount. 1t
goes on record as the coolest winter since
weather data began to be systematically
noted, and the severest, perhaps, in the
memory of the Oldest citizens of the
state. 1t is impossible to estimate the
damage done to the fruit growing indus
try by the freezes of December and Feb
ruary. Even those bestimformed hesitate
to make a prediction. The trees were never
before exposed to such low temperature
and thepa are no presidents upon which
to base an estimate. The reports of cOr-s
respondents are not very encouraging;
they are practically unanimous in the
statement that all young trees are killed
to, or within few inches of the ground
branches or trunks, except in few in
stances where groves were we'll protected
are reported to be putting out leaves and
blossoms. 1t is thought the actual dam
age can be best estimated at the end of
next season when the crop can be COM
pared with that OF former years, and the
condition of the trees after seasons
growth will indicate pretty clearly what
may be expected from them in the matter
of future crops. rNe. c9 A
The week ending. March 18th Was the
most favorable of the season and vegeta.
tation in some sections made rapid
growth, but some correspondents state
that the ground is too cold for seeds to
terminate or grow rapidly. Recent rains
gave too much moisture in some parts OF
the state, while in other sections the rain
fall was insufficient for the needs of crops.
Generally, however, the unusually high
temperature and moist atmosphere during
etable crops and marked improvement
in vegetation generally.
The sudden change to colder weather at
the close OF the week caused considerable
uneasiness among vegetable and straw
berry growers, but it Is thought the light
frost OF Monday morning in Northern and
Western Florida did no damage worth
mentioning to crops or fruit.
Western District-Farming and trucking
operations unusually backward. But little
planting has been done on account of the
continued cold weather, and many have
been unable to do any blowing. Some
sugar cane. potatoes and hardy vegetables
week damaged plowed lands. Oats sowed
in January were killed by the February
freeze, but some planted later have begun
to grow rapidly. Peach and Kelsey plum
trees are in full bloom. and LIE Conte pear
trees are beginning to bloom.
IL
of fruit are very promising. Pear orchards
were not injured by the freezes, which it
is hoped killed the insect pests. and the
continued cold weather Kept the trees
from budding too early.
Orange, PeentO peach and olive trees
were seriously damaged by the last freeze,
but figs did not suffer SO much. Straw.
berries were badly injured and the crop
set back over a month, but the plants are
now blooming. Late, planted garden truck
promises well. Stock suffered greatly on
account Of the severe winter.
Highest temperature during the week,
a. lowest, As; mean, a.; average rainfall.
9. AZ inches.
Northern district-Most orange trees re-
ported killed to or near the ground.
Peento peaches had bloomed and set
fruit, but the freeze of February 9Th killed
the fruit and killed or seriously injured
the trees. Native peach, pear and plum
trees are full of buds and bloom. Dat and
pea crops killed by freeze. Onions
destroyed. Strawberries were badly hurt,
but have recovered to a great extent and
now promise an average crop, which will
be marketed about month later than
usual. Shipments in quantities are ex-
pected to begin early in April. Rather
too much moisture on low lands, but else
where vegetation has made some progress
since the warm weather set in. The warm,
moist air caused marked changes during
the week in such plants and trees as were
not killed outright by the severe winter.
Upland farmers have commenced plant
ing. but the fatwoods are too wet to till
with their work. The frosts of Monday
morning were probably too light to do
any damage.
Highest temperature. S.; lowest, AZ;