Location, Exposure, Soils, and Windbreaks 17 



or later be given over to the growing of alfalfa, grain, 

 and similar crops. In its native state such land usually 

 develops a rank growth of grease-wood (Sarcobatus 

 vermiculatus) , and is commonly known as grease- wood 

 land. In some regions there is a strong prejudice against 

 using grease-wood land of any description for orchard 

 purposes. However, this is certainly carrying a preju- 

 dice too far, as many of our most valuable orchards 

 are located on land which must come under this general 

 description. Some of this land is sandy, and therefore 

 is easy to work at all times. 



Sage-brush land, on the other hand, is usually good 

 orchard land. It derives its name from the fact that in 

 the wild state the characteristic vegetation is the so- 

 called sage-brush (species of Artemisia). This shrub often 

 grows over extensive areas, to the exclusion of all other 

 woody plants, and on the higher mesas there is often a 

 mixed growth of sage and cedar or pinon trees. This 

 type of soil contains more sand and gravel, is not inclined 

 to bake, irrigates easily, and consequently is one of the 

 best types for orchard purposes. 



So-called volcanic ash soils are common in Idaho and 

 other parts of the Northwest. The origin and com- 

 position of such soils are imperfectly understood, but that 

 they are well adapted to the growing of fruit has been 

 clearly demonstrated. A. L. Knisely, formerly chemist 

 of the Oregon Agricultural College, has the following 

 to say in regard to them: "There are certain regions, 

 especially in eastern Oregon and adjacent states, in which 

 part of the soil is known as volcanic ash soil. Soils which 

 have this name are usually very uniform and are ex- 

 c 



