Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-03-26
ORCHARD HEATING
SAVES FRUIT TREES
FROM F FREEZING
Methods Advocated by Special
list in Department of Agri-
culture-Oil and Coal
Burners

Washington. d. c., March Din many
parts of this country the late spring
frosts max 1t absolutely necessary for
fruit growers to adopt the practice of or
chard heating In order to obtain annual
crops of fruit when the fruit buds pass
through the winter safely. This is par
ticularly true with all tree fruits except
apples and pears In the Eastern and
Southern states, and with all tree fruits
in the Central and Western States.
Enough has been done in orchard heat
ing throughout the centre country to
prove its efficiency and practicability,
but little las been done on the study Of
air currents, heat radiation. influence of
slopes, hills and surrounding country
generally on orchards where heaters
have been used. Following are directions
for orchard heating prepared by a spe-
cialist Of the Department of Agriculture.
There are many types of oil burning or
chard heaters of all sizes and shapes NJ
prices ranging from twenty to seventy
five cents each The early ones were
mostly small and Of ths lard pail" type
while the most recent ones are larger and
rectangular In shape. Each menufac turei
claims certain advantages for mis- part
cular make and the fruit grower may
compare these claims by securing cata-
logs Of many types now o. the market
Advertisements Of these appear in the
horticultural periodicals.
LARD PAIL" TYPE.
The lard pail type is extremely sim
pie and serviceable. is easily stored be-
cause 1t nests and requires little space
1t may be made by the local tinsmith il
desired. A useful size is seven inches
across at the bottom, nine inches at the
top, and twelve inches high. This vii
hold three gallons of oil and burn abou
! one quart per hour thus burning twelve
hours at one filling. Smaller heaters have
| the disadvantage of requiring to be fill
| ed often. This type is fitted with covers
i The rectangular type is usually divided
into storage compartment and a burn
Ing compartment both being provided
with covers. The size Of the flame car
| be controlled so ms to throw out LITTLE
or much heat depending upon the tenn
| perature OF the air and the danger of !
going lower. This type is large, rattle
costly, IL very servicable and desirable
but requires considerable storage space
II empty metal paint kegs are avail
able they viii answer the purpose adj
mirably and will give SPLENDID results
They must be provided with covers; roof
| ing slate does very well for this purpose
but it must be held IN place by weigh
of some kind.
| In lighting new oil heaters ii is usual!
! necessary to use burap or excelsior f
act as a wick. After deposit forms OF
! the sides Of the heater the wick is ~
! longer necessary. Usually few drop
| of gasoline are thrown over the oil am
the torch applied at once. \ wad Of cot
ton wrapped with wire and dipped In OF
makes "A good torch There is on the mar
kct combination gasoline discharge
and torch which is extremely useful
These are circular or angular with par
alel sides, or inverted cone-shaped wit
broad flarng sides. The latter is Away
lighted from the bottom and others fror
the top. kindling wood and oil soake
burap or excelsior are necessary aid
in lighting the coal burners.
MAX ESHIF'r HEATERS.
Under this head may be included tn
small piles of wood brush, oil-soake
sawdust, and other combustable mater