122 HORTICULTURE FOR SCHOOLS 



the two sides of the river or small lake, particularly when the 

 slopes are sharp and high. The side facing away from strong 

 prevailing winds is usually preferable, particularly if the 

 elevation back of it is sufficient to act as a windbreak. In 

 interior or frosty regions, the best slope for the tender and 

 early-blooming fruits, as a rule, is one that retards the bloom- 

 ing period, thereby causing the plant to remain comparatively 

 dormant until the incidental spring frosts are passed. In 

 such places, therefore, the northward and westward slopes 

 are commonly most advisable; although, if these slopes are 

 too pronounced, they may be so very cold and backward that 

 what is gained by the retardation in spring may be lost by 

 the retardation in fall, and the fruits may fail to ripen 

 properly, or be caught by early fall frosts. ... In regions 

 in which there is much danger of sunscald on the trunk and 

 larger branches, as in the midcontinental country and in hot 

 arid areas, it is well to avoid pronounced southwestern ex- 

 posures if possible. ... If one desires to secure particu- 

 larly early results and bright colors of fruits, a warm and 

 sunny exposure, to the southward or southeastward, is most 

 advisable. ... It is sometimes necessary also, to study the 

 exposure with reference to prevailing winds, when these winds 

 are more or less constant and strong. The selection of the 

 aspect may, in a large measure, obviate the necessity of 

 establishing elaborate windbreaks." 



198. Preparation of land for planting. Before setting out 

 an orchard on land previously untilled, it is well to grow a 

 cultivated crop for at least a year. The land should be plowed 

 deeply before the trees are planted. If it is to be irrigated, it 

 should be leveled carefully. 



199. Choosing the trees. It is important that the young 

 trees be chosen with great care. As the orchard is to be a 

 long-time proposition, the grower cannot afford to take 

 chances by buying from any but reliable nurserymen. If the 

 local nurserymen can be depended on, it is well to buy from 



