A STUDY OF WINDBREAKS IN THEIR RE- 

 LATIONS TO FRUIT-GROWING. 



I. INFLUENCES OF WINDBREAKS UPON FRUIT 



PLANTATIONS. 



ALTHOUGH the best writers upon horticultural topics are 

 - nearly uuaiiinious in recommending windbreaks for all fruit 

 plantations, there is, nevertheless, wide difference in opinion and 

 practice among good cultivators concerning them. Fruit-growers, 

 as a rule, hold decided opinions concerning windbreaks. In fact, 

 they usually hold extreme opinions, either wholly opposing shel- 

 ter belts in all cases, or positively advocating them. All who are 

 engaged in the growing of fruits or wlio attend fruit-growers' gath- 

 erings, have heard the most positive experiences cited in support of 

 both opinions. There must be good reasons for these opposing views. 

 No general studies of the subject appear to have been made, yet 

 it is one of commanding importance in many directions. There 

 appear to be no well-grounded maxims or precepts among growers 

 themselves, and statements concerning the merits of shelter belts 

 are commonly vagiie. Studies of temperatures as influenced by 

 windbreaks are now being inaugurated at this station under ex- 

 cellent opportunities. 



The present inquiry was undertaken about six months ago, and 

 it is the outgrowth of previous experience and observation in the 

 same direction. Many inquiries have been made and fruit farms 

 have been visited. Three hundred circulars were addressed to 

 leading fruit-growers in New York and Michigan, asking for defi- 

 nite information in regard to windbreaks. Seventj'-seven replies 

 Wire obtained. This is a large proportion, and the number ma}' 

 be assumed to include all the persons of _ the three hundred ad- 

 dressed, who have had experience, or have made direct observa- 

 tion. Forty-eight of these replies relate definite results. It is 

 prol)able that nearly the whole range of experience with wind- 

 ' breaks in reference to fruit culture in the northeastern states is re- 

 presented in these letters. 



The present discu.ssion is presented as follows : 

 I. Influences of Windbreaks upon Fruit Plantations. 



II. Proper location of Windbreaks, and manner of making them. 

 General Summary. 



