Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-04-04
Orchard Heating to Save Budding Fruit
, Trees from observation-disclosures Suggested
by Specialists in Agriculture Department

Washington. ID. O.. April In many
Darts Of this country the late spring
Irosts make il absolutely necessary for
lruit growers 10 adopt the practice of
orchard heating in order TO obtain an.
nual crops Of fruit when the fruit buds
pass through the winter safely. This il
particularly true with all tree fruits ex.
eept apples and pears in the Eastern
AMI Southern States. and with all tree
fruits IN the Central and Western
states. Enough has been done in or.
chard heating throughout the entire
country tn prove its cfficinccy and prac.
tlcability. but little has been done on
the study Of air currents. heat radiation.
influence of slopes, hills and surround
ing country generally on orchards where
heaters have been used. Following are
directions for orchard heating prepared
by a specialist Of the Department of
Agriculture:
TYPES OF ORCHARD HEATERS.
There are many types Of oil burning
orchard heaters of all sizes and shapes
at prices ranging from ~ 10 81 cents
each. The early ones were mostly small
and of the lard pail type while the
more recent ones are larger and rec
tangular in shape. Each manufacturer
hc4hms certain advantages for his par
tlfnlar make and The fruit grower may
compare these claims by securing cata-
logucs of the many types now on the
market. Advertisements of these appear
! IN the horticultural periodicals.
\ The lard pail" type is extremely
simple and scrvircablc. is easily stored
because il nests and requires little
space. Ii may he made by the local tin
smith if desired. \ useful size j. seven
inches across at the bottom. nine inches
at the top and twelve inches high. This
will hold three gallons of oil and burn
about one quart per hour. thus burning
twelve hours at one filling. Smaller
heaters have the disadvantage of requir-
ing Ia be filled often. This type il
fitted with covers.
The rectangular type is usually III
ridcd into a storage compartment and
q burning compartment both being pro-
vided with covers. The size of the flame
can be- controlled 80 ~ Ia throw out lii.
~ VI u'if Wi"liiAHE Nl0M III
temperature of the air and the danger of
it going lower. This type is large. rather
costly. is very Seryiccahlc and desirable.
hut requires considerable storage space.
" empty metal paint kegs are avail
abA uhey vii lanswer the purpose admir-
ably and will give splendid results. They
must he provided with covers; roofin.
slate does very well for this purpose. but
it must he held in place by a weight of
some kind.
In lighting new oil heaters il i usually
necessary Ia use burlap or excelsior "a
4 act as a wick. After i deposit forms ON
the sides of the heater the wick j. NO
longer ncccSaSry. Usually a few drops
Of gasoline are thrown over the oil aud
7 TIA torch applied III once. \ wad Of
cd On wrapped with wire and dipped in
oil makes a good torch. There Is on the
market "A combination gasoline dis
charger and torch which il extremely
useful.
. These are circular or angular with
\ p~arallcl sides. or inverted cone shape
With broad flaring sides. The latter i
always lighted from the bottom while
some of the former are lighted from the
bottom and others from the top. Kin
| ding wood aud oil soaked burlap or cN-
cclsior are necessary aids in lighting the
coal burners.
MAEESHIFT HEATERS.
Under this heading may bc included
small plies Of wood. brush oil soaked
sawdust and other combuStible material.
which are often used with good success.
The object is to produce heat n the
proper time and place 10 matter what i
used to do IL.
| COMPARISONS.
The oil heaters are quickly filled. easily
LIGHTED. throw off the maximum heat al
most instanaly. can have size Of flame