Smudge Pot Farming is a photograph by Debby Pueschel which was uploaded on March 22nd, 2019.
Smudge Pot Farming
What is this you might ask! What does this have to do with farming??? I'll tell you. These are called Smudge Pots, an oil canister which would be... more
Title
Smudge Pot Farming
Artist
Debby Pueschel
Medium
Photograph
Description
What is this you might ask! What does this have to do with farming??? I'll tell you. These are called Smudge Pots, an oil canister which would be filled with oi. The oil was lit at night, and the chimney would deliver the heat to keep the fruit warm and not freeze.
Farming in 1950-1970, was rather difficult. Citrus farmers would use these pots with chimney stacks to keep the fruit on the trees warm Each morning, the pots were filled with diesel oil. There were always two shifts...the morning and night...I generally was on the night crew where I would follow my father. He would open the round lid, setting the oil on fire. I would follow behind and open the top of the chimney and set the lid dial to either the first or second hole. There were three holes on each pot lit. If the weather was going to be extremely cold for the citrus, we would open the lid to the third hole allowing the heat to surround the trees. The warmth kept the fruit warm enough so as not to freeze.
Eventually, these were outlawed due to the extreme poor air pollution they lent the smoke that would lie over the valley was black and caused illnesses.
Today these iconic warming pots are illegal due to their heavy pollution. Just as good, though, they were dangerous. Many a person had fire burn them. It was a risk we took.
Life was difficult, but I would NEVER trade what I had when growing up.
Contest Win and Special Group Recognitions:
*PHOTO OF THE MONTH - MARCH - SPIRIT OF THE WEST 4-7-24
*SPECIAL FEATURE - 1000 VIEWS ON 1 IMAGE 3-20-24
Featured in these amazing groups:
*SEASONS OF THE TREES 4-11-24
*THE MEANDERING PHOTOGRAPHER 4-8-24
*SPIRIT OF THE WEST 4-7-24
*10 PLUS 2-29-24
*NIKON FULL FRAME CAMERAS 2-20-24
*IF THE IMAGE EXCITES YOU 2-20-24
Uploaded
March 22nd, 2019
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Comments (90)
Debby Pueschel 14 Days Ago
Thank you Holly for featuring my work in your group Seasons of the Trees 4-11-24
Steve Rich 18 Days Ago
Your work deserves to be featured in our group "The Meandering Photographer" Please consider adding this work to the "Feature History, The Meandering Photographer (March-April 2024)" active discussion thread. (l/f on 4-8-2024)
Debby Pueschel replied:
Thank you Steve for featuring my work in your group the Meandering Photographer 4-8-24
Toni Hopper 20 Days Ago
Congratulations! Your incredible image was selected as a Photo of the Month for March 2024 in Spirit of the West Photographs Only group! It has been archived in a special discussion, but you are also welcome to add it into the features archive discussion for 2024! Excellent work and thank you for continuing to promote the spirit of the west through traditional photography as it has been done for hundreds of years!
Debby Pueschel replied:
Wow...thank you Toni. It is a piece of farming which not many are familiar but when you know what it is about, you cannot forget! Interestingly. enough, this has been my highest seller of all time for all time. It may not be the most beautiful, but for those who are interesting in farming, it is very much "right on"! Thank you for the honor of Photo of the Month for March 2024 in your amazing group Spirit of the West!
Bill Rogers
wow Pretty cool history to share, this is great stuff and a really nice photo
Debby Pueschel replied:
Bill, thank you...it is history for certain. It is a piece of life not many people are familiar!
Mike Lee
Wonderful image, Debby! I remember these from the orchards near my childhood home. Congratulations on your special feature in 1000 views...!
Debby Pueschel replied:
Thank you Mike for your comments. They are interesting for sure...and lot of work but it was a good work!
Jennifer Jenson
Congratulations on your Special Feature in 1000 Views! What an incredible story of your life!
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 Views on One Image Group's Special Features Nominations For Promotion #28 . Please help your fellow artists by visiting and passing on the love to another artist in the the 1000 Views on One Image Group....L/F/Tw
Debby Pueschel replied:
Thank you Christopher for the Special Feature in your group 1000 Views 3-20-24
Diana Mary Sharpton
Nominating this fabulous collection oil canisters capture for special feature on the 1000 view group...fav/x
Debby Pueschel
Thank you for the comments. I love this photo...so full of memories. Thank you again.
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