54 SOIL, MANURES, SITUATION, AND ENCLOSURES. 

 sion that the destruction alluded to was caused by the east 



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 suc- 

 cessful 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 

 evergreen or deciduous trees will be found of great s'ervice. 

 In all instances where the side of an orchard, exposed to pre- 

 vailing winds, is less successful and productive than the op- 

 posite side, proof is afforded that shelter would be beneficial ; 

 belts, especially if of deciduous 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. 



ENCLOSURES. 



The skilful cultivator, after having prepared his ground, 

 procured the best trees the country affords, carefully trans- 

 planted them, and given them watchful and laborious atten- 

 tion for years, feels a very natural desire to partake of their 

 fruits. But this he cannot do, in many places, unless his 

 fruit-garden is protected from rambles of idle boys. It can- 

 not be denied that our country is rather remarkable for its 

 fruit-pilferers. It is feared it will continue to be so, until 

 public opinion shall place the young man who steals a pocket- 

 book, and the depredator of fine fruit, which has cost the 

 owner as much care and labor, and which money cannot re- 

 place, on precisely the same level. 



This formidable evil has deterred many from planting fruit- 

 gardens. The most quiet and secure protection is afforded 

 by a good barbed wire-fence. The English hawthorn, far to 

 the north, will generally succeed quite well for this purpose. 

 The buckthorn is extremely hardy, has a thick dense growth, 



