WINDBREAKS 



13 



general farmer and wants to set one orchard on the best orchard 

 site of the farm, then the question of slope is worthy of careful 

 consideration. With reference to the sun, we have the ripening 

 and coloring effects of a southern exposure which are surely 

 worth having if they can be had without danger from frosts. 

 But in sections and locations where frosts are a serious menace, 

 southern and southeastern slopes ought to be avoided for all 

 fruits like Japanese plums, which blossom very early and are 

 frequently damaged by frosts. Lastly there is the matter of 

 sun-scald. Where this is serious one ought certainly to avoid a 

 southwestern slope. On the question of aspect with reference 



Fig. 5. — An id<»al country for orchard. Slope enoueh to provide pood drainage, yet smooth 

 enough to admit of cultivation. 



to wind it need only be said that in those sections wliere there 

 are very strong winds from one or two directions, as frequently 

 happens, it is very desirable to avoid those slopes. Many sec- 

 tions, for example, are subject to very strong northwest gales and 

 only slightly less to southwest winds. The orchardist therefore 

 prefers to avoid these slopes, other things being equal. Fre- 

 quently other things are not equal and we choose one of these 

 slopes in spite of its direction. But such lands are not as desir- 

 able as those which do not have this handicap (Fig. 5). 



E. Windbreaks. — A great deal has been said and written 

 about windbreaks. They seem to the writer to be another factor 



