has to be more carefully considered. The site usually selected for 

 the orchard is one near the buildings, which may be all right if these are 

 on the highest ground, for such grounds are not only best drained but 

 are least liable to untimely frosts. Good atmospheric drainage is often 

 quite as important as good water drainage, and cold air like 

 cold water runs down hill. Only a few feet of elevation above a wide 

 adjoining area may be sufficient to enable trees in full bloom to escape 

 a frost which destroys the crop on the lower level. On level lands there 

 is practically no atmospheric drainage and the orchardist must take his 

 chances and make the best of it. 



Exposure. 



Where the land is rolling, and there is a choice of exposure, the 

 situation should be carefully considered, for in many cases this may be 

 the difference between success and failure. As to which is the best ex- 

 posure, depends largely upon the surroundings. In proximity to large 

 bodies of water the best exposure is toward the water. In localities 

 subject to late spring frost the safest exposure is toward the north, as 

 this helps to retard the period of bloom till danger of frost is past. On 

 a northern exposure trees are less likely to suffer in times of severe 

 drouth, and there is also not so much injury from sun scald, a most ser- 

 ious trouble in northern localities. For the reasons given a northern 

 or eastern aspect is, as a rule, preferable to a southern or western one, 

 and also because there is less exposure to our strongest prevailing winds, 

 which come from the south west. 



Windbreaks. 



Protection from the prevailing winds is another matter that requires 

 due consideration. The shelter accorded by a high hill or natural belt of 

 timber is perhaps the ideal one, but when these do not exist, the planting 

 of a windbreak is necessary. Prof. L. H. Bailey in his excellent book 

 "Principles of Fruit-growing," thoroughly discusses the advantages and 

 disadvantages of windbreaks, and summarizes as follows : 



"The benefits derived from windbreaks are the following : Protec- 

 tion from cold ; lessening of evaporation from soil and plants ; lessening 

 of windfalls; lessening of liability to mechanical injury of trees; reten- 

 tion of snow and leaves ; facilitating of labor ; protection of blossoms 

 from severe winds ; enabling trees to grow rnore erect ; lessening of in- 

 jury from the drying up of small fruits ; retention of sand in certain locali- 

 ties, hastening of maturity of fruits in some cases ; encouragement of 

 birds; ornamentation." 



"The injuries sustained from wind-breaks are as follows : Prevent- 

 ing the free circulation of warm winds, and consequent exposure to cold ; 

 injuries from insects and fungous diseases ; injuries from the encroach- 

 ment of the wind-break itself ; increased liability to late spring frosts in 

 rare cases. 



