48 Soil, Manures, Situation, and Enclosures. 



Influence of deep Lakes and Rivers. Large bodies of unfreezing 

 water in the bottoms of valleys will reverse some of the preceding 

 rules, and the banks of such waters are peculiarly adapted to the 

 cultivation of tender fruits. They soften the severity of the cold, 

 by the large and warmer surface constantly presented ; on the other 

 hand, they chill the dangerous warm air which starts the buds in 

 winter, and they afford great protection by the screen of fog which 

 they spread before the morning sun. Along the borders of the lower 

 parts of the Hudson, and on the banks of the .Cayuga and Seneca 

 lakes, tender fruit-trees often afford abundant crops, while the same 

 kinds are destroyed only two or three miles distant. Along the 

 southern shore of Lake Ontario, the peach crop scarcely ever fails, 

 and the softening influence of that large body of unfreezing water 

 extends many miles into the interior. The same result is observed 

 in northern Ohio, bordering on Lake Erie ; and in western Michigan, 

 adjoining the great lake of that name. 



Fruit-buds, as well as tender trees, are occasionally destroyed by 

 thawing by the morning rays, after a cold night. The protection 

 from these rays afforded by an eastern hill, buildings, or other screen, 

 has led to the erroneous conclusion that the destruction alluded to 

 was caused by the cast wind. 



It has frequently been observed that when the lower branches of 

 a peach-tree have been buried in a snow-drift, the crop thus covered 

 was saved. This has suggested the successful practice of training 

 peach-trees low, and covering the branches in winter with masses of 

 evergreen boughs. The rigidity of the stems prevents their bending 

 down ; but as the roots are more flexible, laying down has succeeded 

 by digging under on one side, the trees having been previously 

 trained flat for this purpose. 



In localities exposed to the sweep of winter winds, belts of ever- 

 green or deciduous trees will be found of great service. In all 

 instances where the side of an orchard, exposed to prevailing winds, 

 is less successful and productive than the opposite side, proof is 

 afforded that shelter would be beneficial ; belts, especially if of deci- 

 duous trees, standing too near fruit-trees have, however, rather 

 injured than benefited them. The orchards should be beyond the 

 reach of their shade and roots, and be well exposed to sun and 

 air. 



