Benefits from Wind-breaks. 63 



dred addressed who have had experience, or have 

 made direct observation. Forty -eight of these replies 

 relate definite results. It is probable that nearly the 

 whole range of experience with wind-breaks in 

 reference to fruit -culture in the northeastern states 

 is represented in these letters. Two general cate- 

 gories may be made, those favoring the use of 

 wind-breaks for fruit plantations, and those op- 

 posing them. Each of these categories may be again 

 divided into replies relating definite experience, and 

 those detailing only general observation or opinion. 



An epitome of the benefits reported in the ta- 

 bles on pages 64-68 may be made as follows (stated 

 somewhat in order of importance) : 



1. A wind-break may protect from cold. 



2. Reduces evaporation from the surface of the 

 soil, tending to mitigate drought in summer and 

 root injury in winter. 



3. Lessens windfalls. 



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



5. Retains snow and leaves, thus tending to pre- 

 vent 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 sections. 



11. Sometimes causes fruits to ripen earlier. 



12. Encourages birds. 



13. It can be made an ornament. 



