12 FRUTT GROWING FOR HOME USE IN THE GREAT PLAINS. 



Strono; winds are characteristic- of the Great Plains — so much so 

 that in many exposed sections the tops of the trees ])y its force are 

 distinctly inchned away from the direction of the prevaihng wind. 

 At most points this is from the southwest. To overcome the influ- 

 ence of these prevailing winds the trees when they are set should be 

 inclined somewhat toward the quarter from which these winds come. 

 The direction for setting as given in one instance is to "incline the 

 trees toward the 2 o'clock sun." 



By leaning the trees, as suggested, the injury to the trunks which 

 often occurs where they lean toward the north or northwest — that is, 

 away from the sun, may be largely avoided. This injury is generally 

 attributed to the intense heat of the sun shining on the exposed 

 trunks, but it is probably more often the result of too rapid thawing 

 in the sun after heavy freezing. 



The general principles that apply in planting fruit trees apply in 

 regard to small fruits, etc.; hence, no special comments about han- 

 dling them appear necessary. 



WIND-BREAKS. 



Another method of preventing the undesirable effects of the winds 

 is to plant a wind-break, or ''shelter belt," on the side or sides of the 

 orchard from which the prevailing winds come. A wind-break is 

 made by planting hardy trees of some kind that will grow as rapidly 

 as or faster than the fruit trees. It should usually be started at the 

 same time the fruit trees are put out, unless the planting of the 

 orchard has been anticipated and trees for the wind-break started in 

 advance of the fruit trees. 



If the space is restricted, a single hedge row of some strong-growing 

 tree will amount to something as a shelter for the orchard. But 

 l)etter results will follow if several rows of trees be planted. A 

 common practice is to set at least three rows 8 feet apart and the 

 trees 8 feet apart in the rows. The trees in the different rows should 

 alternate, so that in one row they will stand opposite the center of the 

 space between the trees in the adjoining ones. 



A number of different kinds of trees are used in the central and 

 southern Great Plains for wind-breaks. Mr. J. E. Payne,'* super- 

 intendent of the departmental substation at Akron, Colo., recom- 

 mends the Russian mulberry, the black locust, and the wild Russian 

 olive. The Russian mulberry, however, is not entirely hardy in all 

 parts of the central Great Plains. In many places, seedling Russian 

 apricots would probably be satisfactory to use with other kinds of 

 trees and possibly some seasons when not injured l)y spring frosts 

 they would produce fruit. 



a See Bulletin 130, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, p. 65. 

 rcir. .Ml 



