Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-10-04
10y Dr. J. J. Morton, Citrus Inspector,
!. Part n.

Part II.
One of the most frequent causes Of in
difference on the part of the beginner in
citrus culture to protective measures
against frost is discoragement from the
thought that his efforts may not be
crowned with success unless he Is able to
put into operation some elaborate scheme
of heating with popular opinion to CON-
mend it., but which he finds beyond his
reach owing to the financial expenditure.
Let it be understood that all the equip
mcnt necessary to combat a freeze in the
Rio Grande Valley can be manufactured
on, the plantation by any intelligent farm
hand. The citrus industry would never
become a safe venture to the poor man I'M
less he was. able to meet its every require
ment by the simple resources at his COM
mand. Last winters freeze has efficiently
proven this to be so.
WIDOW USED OLD FRUIT CANS.
1t is within the writer's knowledge where
a very wealthy orchard owner in another
state spent large sums of money in install
ing an elaborate system of heating, and
-
had in charge of it persons who were con
versant with every detail, yet hi orchard
was badly damaged by a freeze. Adioin-
ing this orchard was that of an aged Wild
ow who did not have anything better han
u supply Of discarded fruit rams which she
used a. heaters. but she succeeded in ear
rying her orchard through the same
freeze without any injury whatever. Frost
fighting requires personal attention a well
as equipment.
lido not wish to be understood a say
ing that the orchardist should not equip
his orchard with a supply of high-cla>s
patented heaters if his means permit him
to do 50, but | do wish it to be understood
that he can save his orchard equally a
well by some homemade contrivance
which may not look % pretty and which
NAV take a trifle more labor to prepare
and operate.
DIRECTIONS NOT EASILY OBSERVED.
Several orchards in this valley were
equipped with a supply of good scr,iceable
heaters last winter. but when the time
came for their operation, the orchardist
discovered they were not a easily handled
Is the directions stated. In a few eases
the result was regrettable. In some eases
the orchardist did not attempt to fire the
heaters as preparations were made too
late. In other cases where the orchardist
was experienced and knew how much 10
expect from them. the supply of heaters on
hand paid for themselves many times by
q few hours service.
STOVE PIPE MAKES A HEATER.
One orchardist used an improyi-ed
heater by cutting a length Of stove pipe
in two, thus making two heaters. Over
one end Of each piece he tied a small
sheet Of brown paper: this formed the
bottom. The bottom was inserted about
three inches in the soil where it was to
remain and filled with crude oil. This
heater held the oil admirably and burned
during the length of the freeze. Quite Of
ten a high priced heater ha- to be dis
ment forming in the bottom. With the
stove pipe heater this j. obviated. The
paper bottom is thrown away zach season
with the sediment and a new bottom sup
piled.
The orchardist who used the above de-
scribed stove pipe heater has trees bear
ing a good crop Of fruit at the present
time, while others who did not heat lo-l
even their trees in the same locality.
Another orchardist prepared To meet III,
freeze BY burning several small fires Of
corn cobs, and holding a large supply OF
hand for repleni>hment. His trees wer'