56 The Principles of Fruit-growing 



of breaks in deflecting or checking strong winds. Even 

 a fence may have a marked effect. Persons and animals 

 instinctively seek shelter. Two simple illustrations will 

 suffice. Fig. 3 shows the still area back of the shelter- 

 belt which stands across the prevailing winds. Fig. 4 

 is a diagram of the effect of a high bank on the Great 

 Lakes. The strong winds strike the bank and are deflected 

 upward and reach the surface at some distance back, 

 leaving a relatively dead area at A. 



Benefits. An epitome of the benefits derived from 

 windbreaks as reported by growers of fruit may be 

 arranged as follows: 



1. A windbreak may protect from cold. 



2. It reduces evaporation from the surface of the land, tending 



to mitigate drought in summer and root-injury in winter. 



3. Prevents or lessens windfalls. 



4. Lessens breaking of trees laden with fruit or ice. 



5. Retains snow and leaves, thus tending to prevent deep 



freezing and excessive evaporation. 



6. Facilitates labor in the fruit-plantation. 



7. Protects blossoms from severe winds. 



8. Enables trees to grow straighter. 



9. Reduces injury from the drying of small fruits on the plants. 



10. Holds the sand in certain places. 



11. Sometimes causes fruits to ripen earlier. 



12. Encourages birds. 



13. It may be made an ornament to the property. 



Injuries reported from windbreaks: 



1. A windbreak may render a plantation colder at certain times. 



2. Fruit immediately adjoining the windbreak is liable to be much 



injured by insects and diseases, and to be small and 

 inferior in color. 



3. Trees immediately against the windbreak are often less 



thrifty than others. 



4. There may be greater damage from late spring frosts in 



sheltered plantations. 



