4 BUSH-FRUITS 



often escapes frosts when lower land suffers, and is 

 therefore preferable, so far as this influence is con- 

 cerned. On the other hand the soil of valleys often 

 retains moisture better than that of hills; moisture 

 being imperative, the valley lands are preferable in 

 this regard. In parts of the country this difference does 

 not hold, the soil of the valleys being lighter than that 

 of the uplands. Wind-breaks are of importance in 

 parts of the country subject to hot, drying winds during 

 the summer. This is particularly true on the Plains; 

 the wind velocity is often high, the humidity low and 

 the temperature great. This combination taxes the 

 powers of the plant to its utmost. A wind-break at the 

 south and west greatly modifies the conditions and 

 reduces the subsequent evaporation, both from soil and 

 plants. 



THE LAND 



Bush -fruits are not imperious in their soil-demands. 

 Land which will produce good corn or potatoes will pro- 

 duce bush -fruits. It must not be wet and heavy and 

 must not carry standing water during any part of the 

 year, yet it must possess drought -resisting qualities. 

 The keynote of success with these fruits is in being 

 able to supply moisture when the fruit is growing and 

 ripening. Irrigation may be employed with advantage 

 where conditions admit, but is often impracticable. 

 Whatever can be done, therefore, to secure the same 

 results should be done. First of all the land should be 

 deep and have good texture. If not naturally so it can 

 be improved by underdraining, or to some extent by sub- 



