204 AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 



raals, rest from their functions at night, and all nature re- 

 joices in the return-of day ; hence an eastern or a south- 

 eastern exposure is generally preferred, but we find that 

 practically there is little difference in the different parts of 

 an orchard that can be fairly referred to this cause. Some 

 planters prefer a southern slope, thinking that the fullest 

 exposure to the sun is essential ; others select a northern 

 aspect, in the hope that they may there avoid a too early 

 excitation of vegetable life, and also that the heats of 

 summer may be thus moderated. In my own opinion, the 

 aspect is a matter of little consequence to the success of 

 an orchard, though my predilections are "in favor of an eas- 

 terly exposure. The danger of a southern aspect in sum- 

 mer, and the advantages of the northern slope, may, in a 

 great degree, be obtained or obviated by judicious plant- 

 ing and pruning, as will be set forth in another place. 



A theory has been started by those who are opposed to 

 a northerly slope, that vegetation continues later in the 

 season in such situations, especially with young trees, and 

 that hence they are not in so good a condition to resist the 

 access of very severe weather at the sudden setting in of 

 winter. The hypothesis is not sustained by long-continued 

 observation, although many facts no % ted in the autumn and 

 winter of 1859 induced persons to embrace the theory ; 

 these were particularly the killing of the peach-buds, up- 

 on northern slopes, by the December frosts.* There is no 

 evidence that there was any want of perfect ripening of 

 the wood in these situations ; on the contrary, it is well 

 known that, long before December, the growth of these 

 very trees had been checked, the wood had been well rip- 

 ened, and the foliage had been cast to the ground. 



