PRINCIPLES OF FRUIT-GROWING AND DKV Kl.oi'.M KXT. 95 



In very many cases in mild climates not remote from the 

 sea or large water areas those who wish to grow high- 

 colored and early fruits will select a south or southeast 

 slope and a warm soil. Very much depends on the 

 locality and the species grown. The grape, peach, and 

 citrus fruits love the heat and no practical grower will 

 plant them in preference on a decided north slope, and the 

 same is true of sub-tropical flowers and such fruits as the 

 tomato, melon, egg-plant, and all sub-tropical fruits. 



99. Orchard Protection. This also is a question for 

 local study. Over large sections of the country a tree 

 shelter on the south is desirable, as the violent winds come 

 from that quarter at the period when orchard fruits are 

 maturing. But on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts wind- 

 breaks are often desirable, as a protection from ocean winds 

 and storms. In Minnesota and the extreme northwest 

 part of the plains east of the Rocky Mountains, the con- 

 sensus of opinion of fruit-growers is in favor of protection 

 on the north and west. But in south Minnesota, Iowa, 

 Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of Missouri, a southerly tree 

 protection is favored to protect in part from the hot winds 

 from the southwest, and the storms from the Gulf that 

 often cause the premature dropping of the fruit. Over 

 this region protection on the north is a disadvantage, as it 

 checks the free air-circulation needed in summer, and 

 favors starting sap-circulation in winter, leading to sun- 

 scald of the stems on the south side and in the forks. 

 Close shelter also increases the liability to damaging frosts 

 during the blossoming period and increases the liability to 

 fire blight. But in all parts where large orchards are 

 planted in rows running from north to south all the pro- 

 tection needed is given by the extended fruit-plantation 

 itself. The north and south circulation between the 

 rows is needed in summer and winter. 



