6 



individual cases were cited of orchards having cover crops 

 surviving the cold winter when near-by orchards without the 

 covering crop, holding a muffler of leaves and snow, were 

 killed. Fruit growers in the two regions consider the cover 

 crop the most effective treatment of their orchards to avoid 

 winterkilling, holding that they protect the roots from cold, 

 cause the trees to ripen their wood quickly and thoroughly, 

 and that they assist in regulating the supply of moisture. 



5. Is THERE Any Difference in Hardiness between 



Low-headed and High-headed Trees? 



All growers in both States prefer low-headed trees, claiming 

 that both trunks and branches are more often injured in high- 

 headed trees. If this be true the reasons probably are: winds 

 dry out the wood of high-headed trees, making them more 

 susceptible to cold; low-headed trees are usually more vigorous 

 and therefore less susceptible to cold; and' lastly, low-headed 

 trees have better protection to the trunk from the sun and 

 hence from sunscald, one of the effects of freezing and thawing. 

 Attention is called by several growers to the fact that buds 

 on high-headed trees usually suffer less from spring frosts. 



6. Are Windbreaks a Protection to Trees or to Buds? 

 There was much difference of opinion. From the experiences 



given it seems that the value of a windbreak depends largely 

 upon the topography of the land. A windbreak so situated 

 as to form still air can only be detrimental so far as cold is 

 concerned. So planted as to deflect or to cause air currents 

 they become of value in keeping off frosts. More often than 

 not, however, windbreaks seriously check atmospheric drainage, 

 and the damage by frost is increased. Another disadvantage 

 is, should the windbreak be to the north, the buds on the 

 trees thus sheltered are forced and are therefore more liable 

 to injury by late frosts. The testimony was, for the most 

 part, unfavorable to windbreaks. 



