FIGHTING FROSTS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 187, 25 August 1937, Page 8

FIGHTING FROSTS

Orchard Instructor Discusses Methods AMERICAN RESEARCH "Tlie use of solid fuel for' burning in frost-fighting apparatus in orchards is seen in a new light now that it has been found possible to extinguish ' the tires whenever desired," pointed out Mr W. B. Lloyd "Williams, Governmeut orchard instructor in Central Otago, and formerly of Gisborne, in an'address to fruitgrowers in the Oddfellows' Hall, Hastings, last night. ATr "Williams explained the many forms of apparatus for preventing frost damage which he hacl seen in use during his recent' investigations in the TJnited States of America. He -spoke on lines similar to his address to the .New Zealand Fruitgrowers' ' Federation conference in Wellington earlier tliis mo'nth. The use of coal briquettes was likely to be the most practibal for use in this country, Mr Williams thought, provided the cost was not too high. Every orchardist would have to consider first, however, whether the benefits lie would obtain would be worth the outlay, before he installed expensive plant. There were two main cases in which major keating did not pay. The first was where such heating would be rcquired too frequently and was. therefore too costly, and the second case was where it was not required often enough and where frosts were not heavy. ■ There was an attendance of about (30 at the meeting, which was presided over by Mr J. H. Milne. Mr Milne produced a pot for burning i'uel beneatk the trees to prevent frost damage, and asked Mr W.illiains to criticise it. Tlxe pot, which was similar to the ones used in Otago . and aeseribed by the speaker, had been designed and produced to siiit the needs of this district by the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association. Mr Williams expressed the view that the pot woula sqrve the purpose admirably. In reply to a question, he said that the pots were lit from a gallon tin with a domed top and a tunnel, containing a mixture of half kerosene and half benzine. Gauze was used in the tunnel to prevent the liquid flo\ving too freely and also to stop the flame going back into the fumes mside the can as it was used. This can was carried from pot to pot, and the oil lit as it was poured out, so that it 'fell as "Ji.quid tire' y into the pots. ' Growers in Otago had installed a large number of frost-fighting appliances and these had proved of value in saving the crops during recent sevei-e frosts, said Mr ' Williams. He felt that great thanks were due to the manufacturers and growers of the United States, and to ' the officials of their Department of Agriculture for the help they had given him during his stay in that country. They had put themselves out to give -61 "their b'est to another country. A vote of thanks was - passed by the meeting to .Mr Williams- a*id: also to the Department of Agriculture, which had mad© it possible for the speaker to address growers in ail parts of New Zealand. Mr C. Gk Wilkinson, Hawke's Bay manager for the New. Zealand Fruit-" growers' Federation, announced during the meeting . that arrangements had been inade with the oil companies in this district for them to hold doublo the quantity of fuel ordered by the.orchardists, which would enabl© q, reserve to be built up if oil fuel were used: for burning.