286 Journal of AgricuUure, Victoria. [10 May, 1917. 



In undulating districts, however, it happens that elevations, whether 

 reclaimed tablelands, or virgin arboreous declivities, often lend them- 

 selves as a protection against winds to the planted areas. Where 

 natural protection of this kind does not obtain in these districts shelters 

 sliould be provided. 



Tile advantages which accrue from the sheltering of the orchard 

 are manifold. Shelter protects the blossoms during the expanding and 

 fertilizing period, from chilling winds. A normal temperature at this 

 stage facilitates pollen germination; it is advantageous to the setting 

 of the fruit and assists in the process of fertilization generally. Strong 

 wind striking the blooms, particularly if they are in a moist condition, 

 a.s frequently happens during the time of flowering, has the effect of 

 lowering their temperature. To prove the correctness of this assertion 

 the orchardist has only to dip his hand in water, and then even on a 

 warm day, pass it swiftly through the still air. However, the local 

 lowering of temperature in this way has a relatively greater effect on 

 animal than on plant life. 



The result of the work done by bees and other helpful insects in the 

 distribution of pollen is of incalculably greater advantage to the orchard- 

 ist, than that performed by the wind, even when it is not too strong 

 and cold. In the sheltered, warm parts of the orchard, the setting 

 of fruit and its subsequent retention on the trees is invariably more 

 satisfactory than it is on the bleak, wind-swept portions. 



When the weather conditions are favorable during the .blooming 

 period, and until the fruit is set and thoroughly established, strong 

 cold winds frequently supervene, and where protection from them is 

 not provided, a high percentage of the young fruit becomes chilled, 

 in the manner described in connexion with the blooms, turns yellow, 

 loses its hold on the tree, and falls to the ground. 



Hail, wlien carried by strong wind through exposed orchards, does 

 considerably more injury to the young fruit than it inflicts on that 

 where the wind is partly stilled through the agency of effective 

 shelters. 



Shelters prevent hot winds in many instances, blowing off consider- 

 able quantities of ripe fruit from the trees. Tliese winds are also 

 checked in their work of depleting the surface soil of the moisture 

 brought up by capillary attraction. 



If permitted to enter the orchard area with full force, strong winds 

 cause young trees to "wobble," and if not supported by stakes their 

 establishment on solid lines frequently proves a difficult proposition. 

 On exposed positions the wind is often the cause of older trees splitting 

 at the crown, but, when they are sheltered, this is prevented, and the 

 trees' superstructures are preserved intact. 



In spraying for Codlin Moth, Black Spot, &c., under these favour- 

 able conditions, the amount of spray mixtures used may be reduced 

 to a minimum, and the work is more easy and efficacious. 



Belts of native timbers with undergrowth, as a rule, afford the 

 orchardist the most perfect protection against winds. When available 

 for this purpose these forest trees mostly consist of the commoner native 

 gums and wattles, but when artificial break-winds are being .provided 

 for he rarely brings these into use, although they are extensively 

 emploved on large farms and on stations as shelters for stock. 



When the orchard slope is abrupt, unusually exposed, and when 

 high shelter is required on the lower side Elms (Ulmus), Oaks 



