14 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



are earlier. A sunny slope dries off and warms up earlier 

 in the spring and makes planting possible sooner than on 

 ground sloping to the north. Winds are not so severe 

 on southern slopes. This point is well worth consider- 

 ing, for there will be less breakage of sash, crops will not 

 be whipped and injured so much by the wind and less 

 soil moisture will be lost by evaporation. In addition to 

 these advantages it is more pleasant to live and to work 

 on southern slopes. 



17. Windbreaks. Every experienced fruit grower 

 knows the advantages of windbreaks. At Norfolk, Va., 

 windbreaks of trees are extensively planted. They are 

 especially valuable in the protection of field cucumbers; 

 the young plants advance much more rapidly where such 

 windbreaks have been established than on unprotected 

 land. A common practice is to construct board wind- 

 breaks to shelter hotbeds and cold frames, although 

 hedges are more attractive and more economical to es- 

 tablish. Natural windbreaks of trees or hills are most 

 desirable of all. 



18. Roads. No greater mistake can be made than to 

 locate on a poor road. Good roads more than double the 

 value of land for gardening purposes. Mud, ruts, stones 

 and steep hills are enough to discourage the most plucky 

 gardener; they greatly increase the cost of marketing; 

 reduce the amount of produce that can be hauled to 

 market by the teams and wagons at command; cause 

 constant annoyance to team and teamster and make it 

 difficult to deliver vegetables at the market or the rail- 

 road station in first-class condition. A hard, smooth, 

 well-drained and comparatively level road makes market- 

 ing a pleasure instead of a burden. Larger wagons may 

 be used with less wear and tear, the trips will consume 

 less time and hence the teams will be available for more 

 work on the farm, than where poor roads must be used. 



19. Shipping facilities. Before engaging in trucking 



