CHAPTER V 

 WINDBREAKS 



The popular mind is much confused over the question of wind- 

 breaks. This is not to be wondered at, because even growers 

 have not clear, definite ideas on this much-criticized subject. It 

 is undoubtedly true, if actual benefit could be seen in all cases 

 from planting windbreaks, that more general planting of trees 

 for the purpose of checking severe winds would be common. 



Object of windbreaks. The primary object in the planting of 

 a windbreak is to protect the trees from injury from the unob- 

 structed winds, especially the prevailing winds which are so 

 common in about every locality. 



Besides this, there are other benefits that are a direct outcome 

 of this protection. Sometimes strong winds are able to remove 

 some of the light topsoil if not checked by tree growth. Not only 

 may some of the soil be removed but large amounts of moisture 

 may be evaporated from the soil by the passing of this high wind 

 over the surface. This loss of moisture may be a great detriment 

 to the future development of the apple trees, as it may so deplete 

 the supply of moisture in the soil that growth may be hindered to 

 a considerable extent. 



There are many other benefits that may be cited as a result of 

 windbreaks planted near an apple orchard. These, however, will 

 be brought out more fully under the advantages of windbreaks. 



Advantages and disadvantages of windbreaks. Advantages. 

 According to the best information on the subject of windbreaks, 

 the following advantages are cited : 



i . Winds partake of the temperature of bodies over which they 

 pass ; therefore, a wind passing over a cold body of water or snow 

 would have about the same temperature as this matter. If this 

 wind were unchecked, it might cause great injury in an apple 

 orchard through which it passed. The first advantage, then, is 

 protection from cold. 



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