The Choice of the Exposure. 61 
generally preferable, particularly if the elevation back 
of it is sufficient to act as a wind-break. 
2. In interior or frosty regions, the best slope 
for the tender and early-blooming fruits, as a rule, 
is one which retards the blooming period, thereby 
causing the plant to remain comparatively dormant 
until after the incidental spring frosts are passed. 
In such places, therefore, the northward and west- 
ward slopes are generally 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 wholly interior 
places, a somewhat pronounced northward exposure 
is usually preferable for peaches and apricots, since 
these fruits are likely to swell their buds with the 
first fitful warmth of spring 
3. If one desires to secure particularly early re- 
sults and bright colors of fruits, a warm and sunny 
epxosure, to the southward or southeastward, is most 
advisable. This is a matter of considerable mo- 
ment with the finer dessert varieties of fruits. 
It is sometimes necessary, also, to study the ex- 
posure with reference to prevailing winds, when 
these winds are more or less constant and strong. 
The selection of the aspect may, in a large meas- 
ure, obviate the necessity of establishing elaborate 
' -wind-breaks. The contour of the land should always 
be carefully considered when the planting of shelter 
belts is under advisement. 
