ANNUAL MEETING AT LEXINGTON. 163 



since come to the conclusion that none can definitely fix the proper 

 site where an orchard should be i)lanted in any given locality until all 

 the surroundings are studied. In our horticultural literature we have 

 so many rules given and examples set forth that by study only can we 

 arrive at a successful conclusion. 



In open lands, or prairies where strong winds prevail during the 

 growing season from certain directions, it would be advisable to plant 

 on slopes, receding from the direction whence the wind comes; the 

 brow in this case would be a wind break, as it would rise and blow 

 over when coming in contact with the earth. 



From every source we are constantly reminded of the importance 

 of wind breaks, shelter belts, and those whose good fortune it is to 

 possess naturul protection in some form or other are most happily 

 situated. 



Of orchards on prairie lands, an extract from a paper that appeared 

 in the Journal of Horticulture will be found full of useful hints and 

 interesting points of study. 



" Scattered over our prairies, are found groves of timber generally 

 on higher ground than the surrounding country, and on that account 

 are less subject to frosts than the lower grounds. The soil also is dif- 

 ferent, being much poorer. The original growth cut away, leaves a 

 mass of decaying roots in the ground which serve for a number of 

 years as underdrain. These reasons make these timber spots most 

 eminently suitable for orchards. The poorer quality of soil is favor- 

 able in that the wood is not stimulated to make a late fall growth, and 

 is thus well ripened and prepared to endure the rigors of a severe 

 winter. 



" If no other alternative is presented but to plant on low prairie, or 

 not at all, prepare the ground by throwing up into ridges for the tree 

 TOWS. Then protect your trees by belts of evergreens- This protec- 

 tion being one reason of success in the timbered portions, since the 

 forest trees left standing serve to protect the orchard from the force of 

 the winds. 



" Southern exposures are mor^ readily affected by the rays of the 

 sun, causing the blossoms to open earlier, and thus suffer more from 

 spring frosts. 



"When blossom buds are frozen, those in the southern and eastern 

 exposures are thawed suddenly and killed, while those on the north 

 side of the hills thaw more gradually, and remain uninjured. The 

 slower warming of the atmosphere forms into a kind of dew or vapor, 



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