72 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 



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

 evergreen or deciduous trees will be found of great service. In 

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

 vailing winds is less successful and productive than the opposite 

 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 orchard should 

 be beyond the reach of their shade and roots, and be well ex- 

 posed to sun and air. Thomas, Fruit Culturist, new ed., 48. 



If possible, a situation should be chosen where some natural 

 obstacle, as a hill, or a belt of woods, would break the force 

 and influence of these destructive winds. Where no such ob- 

 stacle naturally exists, a belt or border of rapidly growing trees 

 * should be planted simultaneously with the planting 

 of the orchard. ' Instances occur every year in our 



own section where sheltered orchards bear full crops, whilst 

 those fully exposed to the winds fail entirely. Barry, Fruit Gar- 

 den, new ed., 176. 



Although having an orchard closely pent up by trees, etc., is 

 injurious, nevertheless a screen of forest trees, at such distance 

 from the fruit trees as that the latter will not be shaded by 

 them, is of very great service in protecting the trees in spring 

 from severe cold winds. Bridgeman, Gardener's Assistant, by 

 Todd, II., 39. 



A few orchards, in specially bleak situations, need protection 

 from winter winds, but all orchards need wind-breaks toward 

 picking time. The damage done in exposed orchards by the 

 blowing off of fruit before it is reached by the pickers may 

 amount to 50 per cent of the entire value of the crop, or even 

 more. Belts of natural timber furnish most protection ; but they 

 are apt to be the breeding grounds of noxious insects. A thick 

 row of arbor vita?' (white cedar), like that shown in Fig. 2, is 

 easily grown, and furnishes ample protection. This occupies 

 some laud, however, and such dense belts of evergreens inter- 

 fere seriously with atmospheric drainage (the rapid evening flow 

 of cold air off the land to lower ground) . This is a most impor- 



