Location, Exposure, Soils, and Windbreaks 15 



one to four miles down the valley. Beyond this rather 

 indefinite line, frosts occasionally occur. In another 

 near-by equally favored neighborhood, two narrow valleys 

 come together and form a broader valley. Below this 

 point for several miles, and in the narrow valleys as well, 

 the night breeze is almost certain insurance against 

 damaging frosts in the late spring. But at the inter- 

 section of the two valleys there is an abrupt mountain, 

 and at its base there is a small area where the night breeze 

 is not so noticeable. The orchards that are located here 

 have been damaged by frost, while those both above and 

 below have escaped. A dozen miles below this point, 

 where the valley is much wider, a part of it has the 

 reputation of being "frosty," while the adjacent mesas 

 are much more favorable for fruit-growing. 



The average soil of the arid region will grow good apples, 

 but preference should always be given to the deep loams 

 that have good natural drainage. These loams may be 

 either clayey or sandy. Those that have a predominance 

 of clay are perhaps the stronger and more lasting, but the 

 red sandstone soils are much more easy to work and to 

 keep in good tilth. Heavy adobe soils should be avoided, 

 as they are difficult to till, and are also difficult to 

 irrigate properly. Shallow soil should also be avoided, 

 particularly for apple-growing, as the fertility is soon 

 exhausted; but what is more important, the roots of the 

 trees spread out near the surface, where they are exposed 

 to the influence of sun, frost, wind, and drought. While 

 it is true that many fairly good apple orchards are growing 



