The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-04-07
Methods Advocated By Spe.
CialiStS In Agriculture
Department

fiosts make it absolutely necessary
for fruit growers to adopt the practice
of orchard heating in order to obtain
annual crops of fruit when the fruit
buds pass through the winter safely
This is particularly true with all tree
fruits except apples and pears in the
eastern and southern states, and with
all tree fruits in the central and wes-
tern states. Enough has been done in
orchard heating all throughout the en-
tire county to prove it's efficiency and
practicability, but little has been done
on the study of air currents, heat rad
iation, influence of slopes, hills and
surrounding country generally on or.
ohards where heaters have been used
Following are directions for orchard
heating prepared by a specialist of the
Department OF Agriculture.
There are many types of oil burn
ing orchard heaters OF all sizes and
shapes at prices ranging from twenty
to seventy-fiVe cents each. The ear
ly ones were mostly small and of the
lard paip' type while the more re-
cent ones are larger and rectangular in
shape Each manufacturer claims GER
tain advantages for his particular make
end the fruit grower may compare
these claims by securing catalogues
of the many types now on the market.
Advertisements of these appear in the
horticultural periodicals.
The lard pail" type is extremely
sifaple and serviceable, is easily stored
because it nests and requires little
space. 1t may be made by the local
tins1nith if desired. A useful size is
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 IL hours at one filling
Small heaters have the disadvantage
of requiring to be filled ofen. This
type is fitted with covers.
The rectangular type is usually di
viaed into storage compartment and
burning compartment both being pro
vided with covers. The size OF the
flame can be controlled so as to throw
out little or much heat depending up
ON the temperation of the air and the
danger of it going lower. This type
is large, rather costly, is very service
able and desirable, but requires consid
cradle storage space.
If empty metal paint kegs are avail
able they will answer the purpose ad
H1irably and will give splendid results
They must be provided with covers
roofing slate does very well for this
purpose, but it must be held in plac'
by weight of some kind.
In lighting new oil heaters it is usu
ally necessary to use burlap or excel
sior to act as wick. After deposi
forms on the sides OF the heater thu
wick is no longer necessary. Usual!
a few drops of gasoline are thrown o'
er the oil and the torch applied q
once. A wad of cotton wrapped will
wire and Dipped in oil makes goo'
torch. There is ON the market CON
bination gasoline ,discharger and torcl
which is extremely useful.
These are circular or angular wit
parallel sides. or inverted cone-shap
with broad fiaring sides. The latte
is always lighted from the bottom
while some OF the former are lighte
from the bottom and others from tn
top. Kindling wood and oil-soaked bul
lap or excelsior are necessary aids 1
lighting the coal burners.
Under this head may be include
the small piles of wood. brush, OF
eoeked sawdust and other combust
hie material, which are often used wit
good success. The object is to pr
dnce heat at the proper time and plac
NO matter what is used to do it.
The Oil heaters are quickly fille'
easily lighted, throw of the maximul
heat almost ,stantly, can have sia
Of flame regulated by the cover, ca
be replenished quickly, and can be e
tinguished instantly by replacing IL
cover. The coal heaters reQuire co
siderable time and care to be file
properly, are slow in starting whs
lighted, throw of little heat at frs
cannot well be extinguished except
dumping and then the fuel will CONT
ue to burn for some time can be quic
y replenished while burning, and mu
be refilled after each burning.
In a sed,tpn where a good grade
coal is verS cheap the coal heate
may be most desirable even thoui
more labor is required in operatil
them. In other sections the oil hei
ers are to be preferred.
The oil heaters discharge great gus
titles of smoke and SCOT which often
most become public nuisance and
is suspected may in some instanc
collect in quantities on the blossoms