3,555,727 Patented Jan.19, 1971 United States Patent Office 2 acids (primarily aconitic acid but also including melassic 3,555,727 . . . acid, glutimic acid and saccharinic acid), 0.5% silica, FROST PREVENTATIVE FOR CROPs Fred M. Jaquith, Caldwell, Idaho, assignor of twenty-five 3.5% potash, 1.5% lime, 0.1% magnesia, 0.2% phos percent to Clarence Virgill West, Boise, Idaho phoric acid, 1.6% sulfuric acid, 0.4% chlorine, 0.2% soda, No Drawing. Filed Jan. 30, 1970, Ser, No. 7,238 iron and, miscellaneous. (Kirk-Othmer first edition, vol. Int. Cl. A01g 13/00 9, pages. 167-168 shows the typical beet sugar and cane 15 Claims i. Sugar molasses analyses)...... : . . . . . U.S. C. 47-2 The molasses is normally diluted with water to give a formulation having 0.1 to 8 gallons of molasses in 100 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE gallons of product, usually 0.25 to 4 gallons of molasses Molasses, preferably beet sugar molasses, is employed in 100 gallons of product and most preferably about 0.5 as a frost protectant for plants, preferably fruit trees. The gallon of molasses in 100 gallons of product. sugar beet molasses application also provides food for There is also desirably included in the final product foliage growth. Preferably there is included a formulation salt in an amount of 0.06 to 0.5 pound per gallon of 15 molasses. The salt can be used in lesser amounts or even for increasing the pollination of fruit. . . omitted. For best results there is included a composition for assisting the pollination of fruit. Such a composition for The present invention relates to the protection of plant example is Pollenaid 300 (made by Crop King) which life from frost damage...... contains, 0.36% Manganese (present as mono sodium It is the primary object of the present invention to re manganous hydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetate), duce frost damage of plants, particularly fruit trees. 0.72% iron (present as mono sodium ferrous hydroxy Another object is to provide a food source for foliar ethyl ethylene diamine triacetate), 0.88% nitrogen (pres growth while at the same time protecting plants, particu ent as carbamide, mono sodium manganous hydroxyethyl larly fruit trees, from frost damage. . . . . 25 ethylene diamine triacetate, and mono sodium ferrous hy Still further objects and the entire scope of applicability droxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetate) and 98.04% inert of the present invention will become apparent from the ingredients. The inert ingredients consist essentially of detailed description given hereinafter; it should be under Water. stood, however, that the detailed description and specific When the Pollenaid 300 or similar pollination assistant example, while indicating preferred embodiments of the 30 is employed, it is usually used in an amount of 0.06 gal invention, are given by way of illustration only, since vari lon to 1 gallon, preferably 0.25 gallon, per gallon of ous changes and modifications within the spirit and scope molasses. The pollination aid likewise can be used in ofthe the art inventionfrom this willdetailed become description. apparent to those skilled in larger or smaller amounts or can be omitted. Pollenaid It has now been found that these objects can be attained 300 is abbreviated hereinafter as P-300. by applying to plants, particularly-fruit trees, susceptible 35 Additionally there can be used convention nonionic, to frost damage molasses. The molasses is normally ap anionic and cationic emulsifier formulations. Thus, there plied to the plants at any time from the green bud stage can be used K262 (made by Crop King) which is believed to the fruitlet stage...... to be a mixture of 20% sodium petroleum sulfonates and The present treatment is not to be confused with the an alkylaryl polyether alcohol and 80% petroleum hydro treatment in Hopf Pat. 2,610,117 wherein molasses is 40 carbon solvent. Other conventional emulsifiers can be employed in a formulation which is burned in a green used such as octylphenolethylene oxide adduct with 10 house. In the Hopf procedure the molasses is simply a , ethylene oxide units, nonylphenol-ethylene oxide conden source of fuel to provide heat and volatilize the plant hor sate, sorbitan monooleate ethylene oxide condensate, C mone and Vitamin K. In the present invention the mo dodecyl betaine, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, sorbitan lasses is applied directly as the frost protectant to the liv 45 monolaurate, tall oil-ethylene oxide condensate, saponin, ing trees, i.e. to the buds, foliage, flowers, fruitlets and/or sodium decylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dodecane sulfo fruit. nate, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc. . . . The preferred form of molasses is beet sugar, molasses The emulsion formulations can contain conventional (most preferably animal grade beet sugar molasses). Not hydrocarbon solvents, e.g. mineral oil, kereosene, etc. only does the beet sugar molasses act as a frost protectant 50 Multifilm X-77, hereinafter referred to as X-77 (made but it also acts as a food for foliage growth. Beet sugar by Colloidal Products Corp.) is a mixture of alkylaryl molasses contains some 30 constitutents. The beet sugar : polyethoxy ethanol and free fatty acids and is employed molasses is alkaline in pH. (usually about 7.5-8.6) and herein as an emulsifier and wetting agent. typically contains 16.5% water, 51%, sucrose, 1% raf. Tronic (made by Colloidal Products Corp.) is believed finose, 1% invert sugar, 3.5% glutamic acid, 5.5% other 55 to be a mixture of nonionic, anionic, and cationic agents protein acids, 10% other organic compounds, 0.1% sil i.e. alkylaryl polyoxyethylene glycols, mixed petroleum ica, 3.9% potassium, 1.3% sodium, 0.02% iron oxide, , , distillates, alkyl sulfate and alkyl amine acetate. Trionic 0.07% aluminum oxide, 0.26% calcium, 0.16% magne represents that class of materials used in agricultural for sium, 0.55% sulfate, 0.06%. phosphate, 1.6% chloride, 60 mulations familiarly known as a spreader-sticker agent. :3.5% carbonate. ...' ...... X-77 is an emulsifier and was used in an amount of Less preferably there can be used other forms of mo 0.25 part per part P-300. lasses such as sugar cane molasses and sorghum molasses. The emulsifier formulation can be used, for example, in Sugar cane molasses differs considerably from beet sugar an amount of 0.1 to 0.25 gallon per gallon of molasses, imolasses in composition. Thus the cane molasses is slight although this can be widely varied or the emulsifier for ly acid, usually having a pH of 5.5-6.5 and typically has 65 mulation omitted. the composition 20% water, 32% sucrose, 14% d-glucose, The molasses containing frost control agents of the 16% fructose, 0.3% albuminoids, 0.3% amides (as . present invention can be applied to fruit trees such as asparagine), 1.7% amino acids (as aspartic acid), 0.15% peach, apple, plum, cherry, pear, apricot, citrus fruit Initric acid, 0.02% ammonia, 0.3% xanthine bases, 0.23% trees, e.g. orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit, cranberry other nitrogenous substances, 2% soluble germs (Xylan, 70 and avocado plants, tomato and potato plants, etc. araban pectin, etc.), 2% free and 3% combined organic In Example 1, the 87 formulations were prepared by 13,555,727 3 w 4 adding-enough water to the base formulation to make up to *-i- -40 ------4-gallons molasses, -0.5-gallon P-300-and to 4-4.5 gallons of water and then diluting the solution X77. '; thus prepared with sufficient water to make 100 gallons 41 ----- 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. - before applying the formulation as a spray. Those formu 42 ----- 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and lations which contained 8 gallons of molasses in the base formulation were simply diluted directly to 100 gallons 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon

with water. The checks indicate simply untreated trees. A number of the formulations were simply repeats of ng 40 lb zinc...... earlier formulations as will be evident from Table 1 which lists the 87 base formulations. 467 - II 0.5gallons gallon molasses,P-300 and 0.5 X77. gallon P-300 and . . ; TABLE 1 X77...... " 48 ii. 2 gallons molasses; 0.5 lb.: salt, 0.5 gallon Formula: Contents P-300, and X77. 1 ------Check. 49 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 1 lb. salt, 1 gallon P 2 ------8 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 3 ------2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. . 50. . . - 1 gallon300, 1 qt.molasses, K262. 0.5' lb. " salt,. . . 0.5 gallon. . . . 4.------4 gals. molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. P-300, X77, and 40 lbs. zinc. 4 ------4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. . 51 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon - 5 ------4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gal. P-300, 1 qt. K262. P-300, and X77. 52 -----, 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 6 ------1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, 1 qt. K262. P-300, and X77. 53-2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 7 ------1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 1 qt. K262. - P-300, and X77. 54 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 8 ------2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 25 P-300 and 1 qt. K262. P-300, and X77. 55 ----- Check. . . . . 9 ------8 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 56 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 1 lb. salt, 1 gallon P X77. 300 and 1 qt. K262. . . 10 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 30 57 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and P-300, and X77. X77. . . 11 ----- 0.5 gallon molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 58 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon X77. P-300, and X77. 12 ----- 2 gallon molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 59 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon X77. P-300 and 1 qt, K262. 13 ----- 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 60 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon X77. P-300. - . . . 14. ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 61 --- . 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 15 ----- Check. - P-300, X77 and 40 lbs. zinc. 16 ----- 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 40 62 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 gal. P-300 and 17 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon X77...... P-300, and X77. 63 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 gal. P-300 and 18 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 19 ----- 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. 64----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 20 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. P-300, and X77. 45 65 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 1 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 21 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon w P-300 and 1 qt, K262. P-300. 66 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 22 ----- 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and P-300, and 1 qt, K262...... X77. 67 -----. 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 1 gallon 23 ----- 8 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 50 P-300 and 1 qt, K262. 24----- 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 68 ----- Check...... P-300. 69 ----- 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 25 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. P-300 and X77. . . . . 26 ----- 8 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 70 ---- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon X77. . . . . P. 300 and X77. . . . . 27 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 gal. P-300 and 71 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and X77. - 28 ----- Check. 72 -----. Check...... 29 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 73. ----- 2 gallons molasses, 1 lb. salt, 0.5 salt, 0.5 30 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 60 gallon P-300 and 1 qt. K262. i. P-300, and X77. : 74----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 31 ----- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon : . . . . P-300 and 1 qt, K262. . P-300, and X77. 75 ----- 1.5 gallons molasses, 1 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 32 ----- 0.5 gallon P-300, and X77. - P-300 and 1-qt. Tronic. ... 33.---- 1 gallon molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. 65 : 76 --- 1.5 gallon molasses, 1 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 34 ---- 4 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt. . . . P-300, and % gallon Tronic. 35 ----- 4-gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon ; : 77 ----. 2 gallons molasses, 1 lb. salt, % qt. P-300 P-300, and X77...... " and 1 qt. Tronic. . . : . . . 36 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300, and 78----- 2 gallons molasses, 1 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon X77. 70 . . . . P-300 and 3% gallon Tronic...... 37 ----- 8 gallons molasses, 0.5 gallon P-300 and 79. --- Check...... -- X77, 80 --- 2 gallons molasses, 1, 1b. salt, 0.5 gallon 38 ----- 8 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt...... P-300, 1 gallon K262...... : 39----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 81 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon P-300, 75 P-300, and 1 gallon K262. 3,555,727 6 TABLE lotus 16 ------(Between 18 and 20.) Formula: Contents 17 ------(Between 21 and 23.) 82 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 1 gallon 18 ------19 (Mostly dead, cutting apparently P-300, 1 gallon K262. mostly dead). 83 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 19 ------(Between 15 and 18.) P-300 and 2 qts. K262...... 20 ------(Between 12 and 19.) 84 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 21 ------20, P-300 and 2 qts. K262. 22 ------22. 85 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 1 gallon 23 ------(Below 17.) P-300 and 2 qts. K262. O 24 ------(Higher than 19.) 86 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 1 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 25 ------18. P-300 and 2 qts. K262. 26 ------24. 87 ----- 2 gallons molasses, 0.5 lb. salt, 0.5 gallon 27 ------24. P-300 and 1 qt, K262. 28 ------24 (Some dead at 27.) Of the base formulations, the presently preferred for 5 Check mula is Formula 52. It was the formula used in Examples 29 ------22. 2-6 (diluted to 100 gallons as set forth above). 30 ------(Between 16 and 21.) EXAMPLE 1. 31 ------(Between 19 and 23.) The procedure employed was as follows. Cuttings of 32 ------23 (Or higher). sweet cherry were taken during the winter months when 20 33 ------(Between 19 and 21.) the trees were dormant. These cuttings were placed in 34 ------25. containers of clean water and caused to bud out at which 35 ------(Between 22 and 24.) time by trial and error it was found that the best time 36 ------(Between 13 and 16.) to spray for maximum results was just as the buds were 37 ------(Between 16 and 18.) beginning to swell. The cuttings were sprayed with vari- . 25 38 ------(Between 20 and 22.) ous formulations at dormancy and various degrees of 39 ------(Between 25 and 27.) swelling up to full bloom, check samples were left un 40 ------(Higher than 23.) sprayed. In runs 1-14, the cuttings were sprayed once 41 ------(Between 25 and 28.) when the buds started swelling (run 1 was the check). 42------(Between 17 and 21.) In runs 15 to 27, the cuttings were sprayed twice, first . 30 43 ------(Between 14 and 17.) when the buds started swelling and second before they 44 ------(Between 19 and 21.) showed white (run 15 was the check). In runs 2844, 45 ------23. the cuttings were sprayed once when the buds started to Check swell (run 28 was the check). In runs 45-54, the cut 46. ------(Between 22 and 24.) tings were sprayed once when the buds were slightly 47 ------22. swelled (run 45 was the check). In runs 55-67, the 48 ------19. cuttings were sprayed dormant and warmed up quickly 49 ------20. - (run 55 was the check). In runs 68-71, the cuttings were 50------21. sprayed twice, first when the buds were swelled and sec 51 ------(Between 18 and 22.) ond just before blooming (run 68 was the check). In 40 52 ------18. runs 72-78, the cuttings were sprayed once when the 53 ------11 (Or below.) buds were swelling and warmed up fast (run 72 was the 54 ------11 (Or below.) check). In runs 79-87, the cuttings were treated once 55 ------(Between 17 and 21.) after swelling and left in shed 48 hours (run. 79 was Check the check). 56 ------19. After spraying with the frost control formulas each i:.45 . 57 ------(Between 16 and 18.) batch was bloomed out and samples of each subject to 58 ------19. various temperatures from 10 F. to 28 F. for thirty 59 ------(Cuttings apparently mostly dead.) minute periods, and recorded on tags attached to each. 60 ------22. These specimens were then placed at 75 F. for 2 hours 61 ------20. and then tested by cutting and examining with a 10 50 62 ----- 19 (Some alive at 15.) power Bausch and Lomb glass. . 63 ------19. Minor discolorations were considered dead. Green 64------(Between 24 and 22.) fruits were considered to be alive. All findings were 65 ------17. recorded in chart form. The results were set forth in 66 -- 22. Table 2. 55 67 ------...... TABLE 2 ...... 68 ------(Between 22 and 24.) Check as --- Run (formula): Lowest temperature of protection (F.) 69 ------(Above 20.) 1 ------24. 70. ------(Between 20 and 24.) Check 60 71 ------19. 2 ------18. s 72. ------(Between 24 and 26.) 3 ------(Between 12 and 16.) Check 4 ------(Between 16 and 20.) 73------(Between 20 and 22.) 5------(Between 14 and 22.) 74------19. 6 ------17. . 65 II (Between 24 and 27.) 7 ------17 (or below). 76 ------(Between 24 and 27.). 8------18. w 77 ------(Between 21 and 24.) 9 ------(Between 16 and 18.) . 78-- - - -24. 10 ------(Between 15 and 19.) . . 79 ------23. 11 ------(Below 14.) m 70 Check. 12 ------19. 80 ------27. 13 ------21. 81 ----- (Between 22 and 24.) 14------18. 82 ------24. 15 ------25. 83 ------(Between 18 and 20.) 75 84------24. ... 3 3,555,727 8 TABLE continued EXAMPLE 4 85 ------(Between 16 and 22.) 86 ------(Below 18.) The procedure was the same as in Example 2 except 87 ------(Below 19.) that some of the trees were sprayed twice, a week apart. In Examples 2-6, the spraying was carried out in the 5 The results are set forth in Table 5. field. The trees were sprayed the first time with the frost control chemical as the buds were swelling. Cuttings con taining fruit buds were taken of all varieties about a week after spraying. These were carefully tagged and then im TABLE 5 mediately subjected to various temperatures between 7 10 Extra and 28 F. for 30 minutes and left for 2 hours at 75 protection F. Samples were then cut and examined for damage using Number molasseswith Development------the Bausch and Lomb 10 power glass. Each test was Tree of sprays (F.) of fruit recorded under the proper variety and the stage of de 14. Full bloom. velopment was also noted as the season advanced. Check 13-H do. . samples were also taken as a normal for comparison. The ill-, 3 out bloom. 12 D 0 Work was repeated every other day until the frost season 9 Full bloom. 8 Do. . was entirely past. Trees of each variety were also sprayed 18 Petals off. .. a second time just before bloom. (It was found that the - 13 Petals loose. 8 Late bloom. second spray best follows the first by only a few days. : 14 Small fruit. : On pears even a third spray a few days later is desirable.) Sweet cherry 3 Do. D0------13 Do. An average of nearly 10 F. protection was noted Apple (Delicious) 10 Full bloom. . on deciduous fruits. As stated Formulation 52 appropri ... Do------., 12., Do. 8 Do. ately diluted with water to provide 1 gallon of formulation Apply (Rome)- 10 Do. . . in 100 gallons of water was used in Examples 2-6. 25 Applgonathan)0------5. Petals off. EXAMPLE 2 146 SmallRo. fruit (pea size). 13 O. The trees were sprayed when the buds were swelling Plum.--- 13 Petals off. 3. Do. unless otherwise indicated under “Development of Fruit.” P do-- 12 Do. The controls were damaged at around 27-28 F. The l'Ulle.-- 15 Schucks tight. 30 Peach 14. Sinai fruit. extra protection using the molasses formulation of the : -13 Do. invention is noted in Table 3. 15 Do. TABLE 3 4 Petals falling. 4 Do. Extra pro 4 Cherry pea size. tection with 4 Do. . . . molasses Tree (F.) Development of fruit 45 min. cooling. Bing cherry------3 D0------5 Apple (Delicious) 8-- Pear------8 Apple 9-- Pear 40 Peach- 9-- Petals falling. EXAMPLE 5 Cherry-- 4. Apple (Deliciou 10- King pink. Pear------8 Sweet cherry-- 6 Bloom. The procedure was the same as in Example 4. The Plum------2 Do. Apple (Delicious) 10 All pink. results are shown in Table 6. Pear------15 All white, some bloorn. 45 ' " . . Plum------9 Full bloom. Apple (Delicious) 11-- All pink. Pear------14 Near full bloon. Sweet cherry m 8 Petals falling. Plum------5 Peach. ------6 Do. Apple (Rome).--- - 8-- Some pink. TABLE 6 Apple (Jonathan).------9- All pink. 50 Number protection- Extra Developmen- EXAMPLE 3 Tree of Sprays (°F.) of fruit The trees were sprayed at the indicated times. The 1. 3 Petals falling. Apple0------(Delicious)---- 2 - 3. Do. treatment was as in Example 2. The results are set forth Apple (Jonathan) 1. 2 Do. in Table 4. 55 Do------2 3-- Do. TABLE 4 Sweet cherr . . . . 10- Pea size fruit. 2 12 Do. Extra pro I . . 9 Small-fruit. tection with 2 9- Do. molasses Development of 7 Petals off. Tree ( F.) fruit 2 11 Shuck slipping.

10-- Small- - green. Apple (Delicious)------0 - Near bloom. Do------. . . . 2, 10-- Do. Sweet cherry------9 Petals falling. Apple (Jonathan).---- - . 1 6 - Small fruit. Pear------13 Full bloom. Do------2 . 8 Do. . . Plum------3 Do. Apple (Rome).------2. 3 Most petals off. Apple (Jonathan).------7. Some bloom. Sweet cherry------, 7 s. Small fruit. Apple (Rome).------v 5 All pink. 2 4-- Do. . Peach------10 Petals off. . . . . 3 Shucks tight. Apple (Delicious)------12 Some bloom. 1. .9 . . . . .D0. . . Apple (Jonathan).------9-H Bloom. 2 14. Shucks off. Apple (Rome).------7. Near bloom. 1. 14 Small fruit. Pear------12. Petals falling. Do------2 13: ... Do. Cherry------3 Do. Apple (Delicious)---. 10 Peasize. Plum------3-- Do. Do------2 8" Do. . Prune------4- Full bloom. Apple (Jonathan).---- 1. ...7. Small pea size. Apple (Delicious)------5 Near full bloom. 70 Apple (Rome).----- 1. ... , 8. Apple (Jonathan).------9 Full bloom. Do------2 5 Small match. Apple (Rome).------12. Near full bloom. Sweet cherry------. . .8. Shuck. . P 17 Petals off. Plum------2 10 Shuck off. 14 - - -D0. 2 7" Peasize. 1. Do. ...7. Large pea size 5 Full bloom. 2 12 Do. 9 : Small fruit. 3,555,727 9 10 lasses and pollination assisting composition are applied EXAMPLE 6 together with an emulsifier and a hydrocarbon solvent. The procedure was the same as in Example 4. The 9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the emulsi results are shown in Table 7. fier includes an anionic sulfonate emulsifier and a nonionic TABLE 7 alkylaryl polyether alcohol emulsifier. Extra 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein there is Number of protection. Development of also included a minor amount of sodium chloride in the Tree Sprays (°F.) fruit molasses mixture. 12 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the mo Apply (Delicious).---- 7-- 5 Pea, size fruit. lasses is applied as an aqueous spray containing in every 4-H Do. 100 gallons, 0.1 to 8 gallons of molasses, 0.06 to 0.5 7 8 Do. pound of salt per gallon of molasses, 0.06 to 1 gallon 10 Small marble size. of pollination assisting composition per gallon of mo 9 Do. 13 Do. lasses and 0.1 to 0.25 gallon of emulsifier per gallon of 11 2X pea size. 5 molasses. 7 Do. 12. A frost control composition comprising aqueous Apply (Delicious)----- s %3" size.DO. Sugar beet molasses containing in every 100 gallons 0.1 0------10 Do. Apple (Jonathan).----- O Do, to 8 gallons of molasses and metal salts of hydroxyethyl DO------2 size. ethylene diamine triacetate in an amount of 0.06 to 1 gal % inch size. 0. 20 lon per gallon of molasses. 3 inch size. 13. A composition according to claim 12 including an O 1% inch size. emulsifier. Do. 14. A composition according to claim 12 wherein the % inch size. Peach-- 13 DO. molasses is used in an amount of 0.25 to 4 gallons per Pear---- D0. 25 100 gallons, the pollination assisting agent is used in an 1. 34 inch diameter. amount of 0.25 gallon per gallon of molasses and com prises sodium, ferrous and manganous salts of hydroxy What is claimed is: ethyl ethylene diamine triacetate, and carbamide. 1. The method of protecting living plants from frost 15. A composition according to claim 14 including damage which comprises applying to the plant aqueous 30 0.1 to 0.25 gallon of emulsifier mixture per gallon of sugar beet molasses containing 0.1 to 8 gallons of molasses molasses, the emulsifier mixture including a hydrocarbon in every 100 gallons. Solvent, a sodium petroleum sulfonate and an alkylaryl 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the plants polyether alcohol. are deciduous fruit trees. 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the mo References Cited lasses is applied to the fruit while the fruit is in a stage 35 from the green bud stage to the fruitlet stage. UNITED STATES PATENTS 4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the mo 1,219,856 3/1917 Parker 13-144XV lasses is applied together with a pollination assisting com 2,749,268 6/1956 Newcomer ----- 424-361XV position. 2,921,409 1/1960 Seifter ------47-58 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the pol 2,962,416 11/1960 Taylor ------424-361XV lination assisting composition comprises metal salts of hydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetate. OTHER REFERENCES 6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said salts Biological Abstracts, vol. 30, May-August 1956, contain sodium, manganous, and ferrous salts and there 45 i 17800, Sci. and Culture 2008)-387 Bajpai, R.N. is also present carbamide. 7. A method according to claim 5 wherein the mo ROBERT E. BAGWILL, Primary Examiner lasses and pollination assisting composition are applied together with a minor amount of sodium chloride. U.S. C. X.R. 8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the mo 71-26, 97, 113, 118; 424-361