Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-08-25


the surrounding country. The surface
of the ordinary marsh of few years
growth is usually covered with thick
mattress of dry moss and grass which
confines to large extent both the
heat and moisture, which would other
wise be given off from the earth
while radiation of heat from the
upper surface Of this moss proceeds
rapidly. The result is, that the air
Immediately surrounding the blossom
or fruit is usually dry which allows
the temperature to fall near to the
frost point before condensation with
its evolution of heat begins, further
more, this lack of moisture in the air
promotes rapid radiation of heat
from the surface and thus we have a
two-fold influence operating in the
direction of froStS. The second condi-
tOn which tends to increase the
liability of froStS to cranberry marshes
is the necessity of having the surface
somewhat lower than the surround
ing country, in order to apply the
proper irrigation. The difference in
elevation may not be great, but still
air will seek the level according to its
density, as truly and as persistently
as will the water in your bitches.
These conditions may not effect the
temperature to large degree, but 1
am convinced that they are frequently
of sufficient importance to make all
the difference between a crop and a
failure. There is just one other point.
1t is poor policy to locate a marsh
where it is surrounded with timber or
underground, for the reason that
timber Obstructs the movement of
the air and thus allows the cold to
settle to the surface.
"Before | close, | wish to say few
words in regard to local Indications of
approaching frosts, and here expert
ence is the chief factor, for there is no
royal road to d knowledge of when
killing frost will occur. A killing
frost in June or August is not usual,
and therefore. averages are of little
avail. Because the average date of
the last frost in spring falls on May
%, is no indication that there will not
be a killing frost in June. 1t is the
unusual or extreme in weather that
effects us, and the only usual thing
about these extremes is that they
usually follow each other in rapid
succession. The old adage, SIN times
Of peace prepare for war; can be
modified with good results for the
cranberry growers. Gin times Of hot
weather, prepare for frost" This is
worth remembering, especially after
September l, when the weather
changes are becoming more active
and pronounced. A strong Southerly
wind accompanied with high tempera-
lures denotes the approach of storms
of considerable energy. These storms
are frequently followed by cool wave
so that when the wind comes to the
west and northwest if there is steady
decline in the temperature toward
the critical point it is safe to begin
preparations for frosts. The wet bulb
thermometer is frequently of service
by showing the amount of moisture
in the air, and the temperature at
which condensation will begin but
after all your chief reliance should be
placed in the weather bureau warn
ings. We may and you may make
mistakes. l am free to admit. But
eighteen years experience and obSeI-
vationS of its methods leads me to say
that it is worthy of your confidence
and support. It appears to me, how
ever, that the general state forecast,
as issued by Prof. Cox, from the fore
cast center at Chicago, does not fully
meet your requirements, for the rea-
son that the cranberry industry is
surrounded by special conditions, with
respect to temperature which do
not apply to adjacent farming lands"