Locaticm and Site of the Orchard 3l 



cupies a site less subject to frosts than the general average 

 of the region. 



It is true, of course, that practically all the important 

 peach-producing regions suffer losses from time to time from 

 adverse temperatures. The fruit-buds are killed by an ex- 

 ceptionally low winter temperature, or as a result of an un- 

 usually warm spell during which the buds start enough to 

 become tender, or by a frost or occasionally even a freeze 

 that comes after the trees are somewhat advanced in the 

 spring. Sometimes even a snowstorm may come when the 

 trees are in blossom. This, however, may prove fortunate 

 in case of a freeze. If the blossoms are full of snow when 

 the freeze occurs, it practically insures a very gradual thaw- 

 ing of the frozen parts, and under this combination of con- 

 ditions enough buds may escape injury to make a prolBtable 

 crop of fruit. If, in addition, it remains cloudy until thaw- 

 ing is completed, surprisingly little injury may actually 

 occur. 



A location having a relatively high elevation is generally 

 to be preferred to one having a low elevation. This factor 

 has special significance, however, with regard to selecting 

 a site and it is considered at greater length under that 

 topic. 



In further consideration of the climate in its relation to 

 suitable locations for peach-growing, reference needs to be 

 made to the influence of large bodies of water on local cli- 

 matic conditions. However, to have an appreciable effect, 

 not only must the area of such bodies be large but the water 

 must be deep. Because the water warms up in the spring 

 more slowly than the atmosphere, it acts in effect as an im- 

 mense refrigerator, making the temperature in its immediate 

 vicinity colder than it is at points somewhat distant from 



