The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-07
COLD MAY Do GREAT DAMAGE.
TRUCKERS MAY FIND THEIR CROPS
NIPPED THIS MORNING.

Predictions Were for Frost in Ter
ritOry Contiguous to savannah
Fears That II May Include This
Vicinity-COnditiOns of High Wind
and CIOuded Sky at Midnight Seem
ed Favorable for the Prevention OF
Frost.
The chances last night seemed 60 he
strongly in favor Of the truck planters
of this vicinity waking up this morning
that is. if they slept with the prospect in
view, and finding their crops badly nipped
by frost From the local aspect and the
predictions of the weather bureau such
an event appeared very probable.
A bulletin was received from the chief
office of the weather bureau at Washing
ton yesterday morning, stating that therd
would be frost in the interior of the Caro-
linas and Georgia, extending almost to
the coast. This was bad enough, but
worse was in store in the way of predic-
tons for another bulletin based upon re
ports sent in, in answer 60 special IN
structlons, from the stations throughout
the threatened territory, stated that tho
frost would extend to the coast OF the
Caro,inas. Nothing was said about Geor-
gia coast, but il was thought Savannah
would be likely to catch a share Of the
cod on account of its proximity to the
region for which the predictions were
made
The weather bureau was visited during
the day by many truckers. Cney wanted
to find out just what they might expect,
and to make what preparations they could
for the cold Some of them were fortu-
ines hat
be used for the tenderest vegetables, ard
had them put over portion Of their plants
for protection. Others, without the cover
ings aud without the opinion that 1t would
do much good to save a small part of heir
crops from the frost, did nothing but nope
for the best
In the morning the thermometer regis
tered IS degrees. This was very low, and,
under very favorable circumstances,
would have caused frost. 1t was cloudy,
however, with a northeasterly wind blow
ing and the plants escaped. During the
day the temperature was rather low for
the season. but the cloudy weather an
duced the hope that the crops might es-
cape during the night. if il should con-
tinue. AS is known, frost does not form
when the sky is clouded. Anxious CLAN
ces were cast upward during the afternoon,
and there were many speculauons as TO
the likelihood of the clouds being brushed
away This was feared, and early in tie
evening il felt very much as If the tenn
perature was low enough for a white frost.
The wind during the earlier part OF the
day was from the northeast
Had it continued it would have
had the effect of driving frost away.
Winds from that direction and the east
come laden with the moisture and warmth
of the ocean, and the Likelihood of frost
forming is slight. Had the combination
of clouds and easterly winds been in evil
dence at night it would have been safe to
predict, instead of frost, only touch of
cold, not pronounced enough to injure the
plants. The wind however, was in the
north. At midnight it was high, with
thin and torn veil of clouds over the sky.
These conditions, the weather observer
stated, might prevent frost if they contin-
ued through the night. Even a partially
clouded sky is proof against frost, as all
that is needed is a covering for the earth
be il as high up at light clouds roll. The
radiation of the heat from the earth is re-
Elected back to the plants by the clouds, or
lower coverings for them that may be
used, and frost does not settle on the
leaves.
II is not likely there will be frost to-
night. At this season cold snaps do not
last long, and a warmer wave is coming
down from the north to follow the cold.
No reports were received at any of the
railroad offices to indicate that crops along
their lines had been injured by the cold
of night before last. 1t was thought the
temperature had been low enough to dam
age the peaches and other fruit in middle
Georgia. but a telegram received by the
Morning News from Marshallville, the
greatest center for peaches in the state,
reported the crop had not been hurt. The
predictions for last night were such as to
indicate that the greatest severity of the
weather would be visited upon the interior
of the state
The loss of the peach crop would be
heavy blow to the growers. For the last
five or six years their crops have been
faulty, owing to one cause or another.
usually a cold snap in the spring, when
the trees are well advanced in leaves and
fruit