The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-25
HARD FREEZE
KILLS FRUIT,
GARDENS and
EARLY GRAIN
Inestimable Damage Wrought
by BLACK Frost That is
General Throughout This
Section Of Country.
ANOTHER ONE TONIGHT

LAFAYETTE. Ind. April 25-The
authorities at Purdue university stat
ed today that the heavy frost OF last
night did an unestimated amount OF
damage. Cherries, plums, peaches and
apples in bloom. were practically ruin
ed. The oats was not badly damaged,
according to the horticulture depart
ment. The temperature dropped to ~
degrees above zero.
A general frost-more literally
freeze-throughout southeastern lnal-
ana and western Ohio after mldnlsnl
this morning caused an inestimaDle
damage to early farm crops, vege-
tables and garden truck and otner
forms of early vegetation. Estimates,
according to observers, will not De
possible until after the plants affecteo
are subjected to the heat OF the SUM-
but they are agreed that the damage
will run into an enormous sum.
On the heels Of the frost this morn
Sng. Weatherman Moore Issued
warning this afternoon that another
frost as severe as it's predecessor
would visit this section tonight. Fear
was expressed that the temperature
early Friday morning would complete
the destruction Of all early vegetation.
Water Freezes Half Inch.
In many sections Of this district
water froze to a depth Of one-half 1ncn,
and in the lowlands 1t was even tnlch'
or Weatherman Moore described the
Srost as "black FROST" which is much
harder on plants than white frost.
He predicted another "black frost Dy
morning.
The temperature in Richmond went
as low as 19 degrees above zero, and
it is expected to hover arouno tnat
mark Saturday morning.
While all garden truck that nao
snrouted was killed, according to gar
deners. the loss in this regard Is not
as great as damage to fruit trees. Only
IN isolated sections did the plum
peach, cherry. apple and pear puos
escape the havoc wrought by a freez.
ing temperature. The wheat did not
suffer as badly as was feared early
This morning, say farmers VINO
reached the city after noon. 1t is safe
to saw. however, according to whea,
men that all wheat that had advanced
far enough to be jointed had beer
killed. Oats in some districts was SCI
back materially.
Frozen plants Turn Black.
The damage to these two crops can
not he estimated with any degree o.
accuracy until after twelve hours O
warm weather, when all vegetation al
fected turns black, showing plalni.
the extent of the harm done. Onl!
in exceptional cases was the "nea
far enough along to have been mate
rally affected Incident to the amour
NJ damage to the wheat, farmers sait
that the prospects yesterday were TO
the largest wheat crop in the hlstor.
of this section.
Young clover suffered extensively II
eome sections, especially where IL na'
inst appeared above ground.
Leaves on the shade and fruit tree
In many sections Of Richmond oega'
with the appearance of the sun thl
morning to show the damage cause
nv the freeze. The foliage turne
black and curled up into folds. shruf
bery also suffered greatly.
Agriculturists are thankful for TN
fact that the wind had been BLOWN
for several days and that the leave
and branches were thoroughly orle
nv the time the freezing temperatur
fell upon them. Had such a conditlo
not existed, they say the oainaS
wonId have been much greater.