Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1910-01-06
(By w. Frank Mcclure. in Scientific
American.)

Grand valley in Colorado, from the
Palisades above to Iona below, val
ued at 100000, owes its existence
to a unique battle which was waged
against Jack Frost at a time wnen
the fruit was at its tenderest age. BY
unusual generalship and the work OF
hundreds Of enthusiastic volunteers
the temperature in these orchards
was actually raised eight and nine
degrees over 81 miles of territory,
and a precedent was established
which will mean much to the future.
In California it is said that the tenn
perature has been raised heretofore
in some single orchards two or three
degrees, but never to eight degrees,
and never before has the work been
carried on over so great an area.
Plans are now on foot to have every
bearing orchard in the Grand valley
protected by next season, not that
there is any likelihood of frost every
spring in this section, but because
the nrotection against possible repeti-
ton of this years experience is con-
sidered cheap insurance. Repre-
sentatives of other fruit-growing sec
lions have also recently visited the
Grand valley, sent there from their
several communities, to learn more OF
the recent experiment.
The arising of the temperature
over this large area was accomplished
NV means Of some 100000 smudge
pots of many different types, some
burning oil for fuel and some coal
and placed at intervals in the or
chards. Oil was carried to the pots
in wagon tanks equipped for that
purpose. Spraying machines we're
also used in distributing the oil. A
large supply of lighters was kept in
readiness in a dry place. Many Of
these lighters were made by wrap
ping waste about twisted wire
All operations were directed from
Grand Junction. Weather stations
established over much of the terri
tory, and equipped with thermostats'
when the threatening weather ar
rived. made half-hourly reports on
the temperature to Grand Junction.
When finally the danger point was
approaching warning. was sent to all
ranchmen to light the fires. Volun-
teers also in nearly all walks of life
made their way in automobiles and
wagons and on bicycles over the en-
tire area. The Trades and Labor AS
sembly adjourned its meetings and
worked all night rendering assist
ance. Men worked in shifts, some at
night lighting the fires, and others
in the daytime filing the pots. Even
women assisted in the work. The
csmpaign in all lasted four days.
So we'll did this orchard-heating
idea work, that while the tempera-
ture outside the heated area dropped
as low as 90 degrees, within the heat
ed area did not go below 29A de-
grees. seventy-five per cent of all
the fruit trees which, were in, bloom
were cared for directly. while even
orchards owned by those who were
skeptical of the idea were saved by
the fires in the adjoining territory.
AS previously stated. there were
great many different kinds Of pots
used in this work The number uesc
per acre depends upon the size. For.
ty. 60 or so pots per acre was the
average. When coal is used, it is
usually lump or nut. With coal at s.
ton. some one has figured that Il
cost him 81 per acre to heat his or
chard for a six-hour run. Some o.
the oil heaters are used to the mum
Der of so or so to the acre. In the
opinion of some, it is better to have
a small-sized pot and use more to thu
acre. say 60 or so. as just stated
Taking one of the many kinds o
pots as an example, and figuring Goa
at s4 ton, the cost of equippinl
with heaters and all other faeilitie
for the first year for 10 acres is esti
mated at s449.25. and for the secon'
year S1S6.25 This provides in tn
initial cost for 500 heaters, or so t.
the acre. 1t also provides for 40 ton
of coal. kindling lighters, SO pound
of waste. 200 gallons of oil for light
ing. the storage for oil, and the build
ing of a coal house. For the hrs
years equipment for oil pots, inciud
ing 500 pots for 10 acres, and fuel a
r. cents a gallon. the cost is estimate
at S494.25. and for the second yea
s153.75.
Now that the question Of raisin
the temperature even 10 or 10 dc
grees over a large area has been SCI
tied beyond doubt. the next probleI
r.- Az, fr.,,if e,rouorc is that c