WIND-BREAKS. 9' 



firmness of the Wilson and the size of the Bubach. Until that 

 variety is produced the Crescent will remain the best berry for all 

 purposes. 



SHOULD THERE BE A WIND-BREAK AROUND SMALL- 

 FRUIT PLANTATIONS? 



BY O. F. SMITH. 



I take nature for a teacher, and the only answer I can give is, yes. 



Wind-breaks should be put around small-fruit plantations, especially 

 on the south and west ; on the west to protect from the evening sun, 

 and on the south to guard against hot winds in summer. 



As most all small fruits should have winter covering a wind-break 

 on the north is not necessary, in fact rather a detriment as it prevents 

 a free circulation of air. 



I find in the canons of Custer county that wild fruit rarelv does 

 well if exposed on the west or south, but invariably bears well if on 

 a north or east exposure. This I take as a guide for planting wind- 

 breaks, and it works admirably. 



There is very little more to say on this question, so I will leave it 

 to the Society. 



DISCUSSION. 



Harrison — I endorse what Smith has said, but would add that 

 wind-breaks should be planted on every side. Defend from the north 

 wind and your plants will bear twice as much. 



Smith — But if only two sides are protected I should prefer the 

 south and west. 



Stephens — Until lately I thought we should have a north wind- 

 break, but heavy protection on that side prevents a free circulation 

 of air and proves detrimental when frost comes. A gr^at question 

 is how to protect from late spring frosts. We have tried seeding our 

 orchard to clover and let it fall to the ground, thereby retaining the 

 frost in the ground as long as possible and retarding the blossoming 

 season until the danger is past. We have also tried " smudges/' or 

 piles of coarse manure, litter, chaff, straw and such things that will 

 make a dense smoke. These we fire about three or four o'clock in 

 7 



