The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-10-13

in England, where the word frost and
the freezing point are considered
yuonvulo1s. There the expression,
-Four degrees OF frost" meaning four
degrees below the freezing point
Frost Is condensed On the surface
OF plants and other objects, just as
dew is condensed above the freezing
point For It's formation, Ct course.
the temperature Of the surface o.
the object must be as low as the
freezing point Plants on clear. cool
nights. when radiation is active, loose
heat much more rapidly than does
the air, with q resulting lowering Of
the temperature. Both green Eegeta-
ton and hard son are excellent radi-
stors-
The ideal condition for the forma
tion OF frost is found when there is
al least a moderate amount Of uaois
ture present in the air IN dry air
the temperature may fall below the
freezing point. Without any evidence
o. frost formation Such conditions
may be as damaging to vegetation as
when frost is present, or even more
go These dry freezes. without any
frost formation. sometimes occur in
various sections, as a result OF low
and strong winds, being
far more destructive than an ordi-
nary frost
Frost is injurious to plant tissue
n a greater or less degree, depend
ing upon its physiological condition,
upon how low a temperature is
reached, and hoE long the critical
continues congeaIiug
the water In the tntercellular spaces
Of the tissue into ice and thus pre-
venting a further circulation OF mofs-
.ure IN the plant. Now If thawing
takes place gradually and the cell
walls are not ruptured, this moisture
VII again be taken up by the cells
Is il is melted, without serious dam
,ge Should thawing take place |
-apidly. however. the intsrcgIluiar ice !
s Iicuifed faster than it is absorbed |
~ the cells; a part OF it being lost |
" evaporation and the cells are /
,roken down. For this reason when !
ruit crops are damaged by frost the |
reatest damage is often found on |
he portion of the tree where the /
Gun strikes first However, If the |
emDerature falls sufficiently low a
,reat deal Of damage may be done /
wen when the rate of thzwing is |
low -
As Bureau Uses II.
The word frost" as used m
7eather bureau predictions. is
suaIIy qualified by the words Tight"
heavy" and killing" killing frost 1
ften occurs without the air temper
rure falling TO the freezing point, i
Thile light frost often forms With /
OF 20 faTer nett o. even !
igher. for, as stated before. Il is Il
sten found that the temperature of
plant viii differ considerably from
he surrounding air. As the lowest Il
light temperature occurs within ?
sv inches Of the ground, plants OF
height Of four 10 ST, inches are in 4
,ost danger Of early frost.
Forecasts OF frost are issued by II
be weather bureau during the grow II
1g season and farmers and T,ujt Il
rUvers who have facilities for pro Il
ecting their crops should arrange
18th the nearest weather bureau
tat1on 70 obtain forecasts II tEis
ind.
The local weather bureau Office
as on hand number OF Farmers
ulletm No. 1896, containing the
test information on frost and the
reTention Of damage by n IL you
ave anything that may be damaged
= frogt, II may save you money 10
ct one Of these bulletins which viii
2 furnished yoU for the asking. Gail, II
lite or telephone the official in
barge Of the local office. II
III