136 THE PEACHES OF NEW YORK 



reason or other, low-headed trees seem to be more vigorous than high- 

 headed trees. 



Sixth. — Wind-breaks furnish small protection against cold to either 

 trees or buds. The value of a wind-break depends largely upon the 

 topography of the land. A wind-break so planted as wholly to check 

 currents of air is detrimental so far as cold is concerned; so planted as to 

 deflect the current of air they may become of value in keeping off frosts. 

 More often than not, however, they seriously check atmospheric drainage 

 and the damage by frost is greater. 



Seventh. — Young peach-trees suffer more than old trees, probal^ly 

 because the young trees do not mature their wood as well as the older 

 ones. There are, however, many exceptions to the statement that young 

 trees are less hardy to cold than old ones. Old trees are often forced to 

 produce large quantities of new wood susceptible to winter-killing, while, 

 on the other hand, the superabundant growth of young trees can be kept 

 down by orchard-treatment. Old trees possessing low vitality are less 

 hardy than vigorous, young trees. Thus, trees suffering from the ravages 

 of borers, leaf-curl or other fungus troubles suffer most from cold. While 

 young trees are more susceptible to freezing than old ones, yet they are 

 much more likely to recover, if recovery be possible, and their return to a 

 normal condition is more rapid. 



Eighth. — What degree of cold will kill peach-trees? Twenty degrees 

 below zero under the best of conditions kills the peach. Depending upon 

 the condition in which the trees begin the winter, however, the trees may 

 be killed by any temperature between zero and — 20°. The following 

 are the conditions unfavorable to withstanding cold, in about the order of 

 importance: Immaturity of wood; lack of protection of roots by snow or 

 cover-crop; poor drainage; overbearing in the preceding year; lack of 

 vitality from ravages of insects, or fungi or from infertility of soil; suscepti- 

 bility of variety to cold. 



Ninth. — What degree of cold will kill peach -buds? Much depends 

 upon the condition of the buds. Fifteen degrees below zero seems to be 

 the limit that peach-buds can stand even when all conditions are favorable. 

 The chief factors influencing tenderness of buds are mattuity of buds, 

 variety, and the time at which buds finish their resting period. 



Tenth. — Small-growing varieties with compact heads are hardier than 

 the free-growing sorts with large heads. The following varieties are named 



