72 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 
In localities exposed to the sweep of winter winds, belts of 
evergreen or deciduous trees will be found of great service. In 
all instances where the side of an orchard exposed to the pre- 
vailing winds is less successful and productive than the opposite 
side, proof is afforded that shelter would be beneficial; belts, 
especially if of deciduous trees, standing too near fruit trees, have, 
however, rather injured than benefited them. The orchard should 
be beyond the reach of their shade and roots, and be well ex- 
posed to sun and air.—Thomas, Fruit Culturist, new ed., 48. 
If possible, a situation should be chosen where some natural 
obstacle, as a hill, or a belt of woods, would break the force 
and influence of these destructive winds. Where no such ob- 
stacle naturally exists, a belt or border of rapidly growing trees 
* * * * should be planted simultaneously with the planting 
of the orchard. * * * * Instances oceur every year in our 
own section where sheltered orchards bear full crops, whilst 
those fully exposed to the winds fail entirely.—Barry, Fruit Gar- 
den, new ed., 176. 
Although having an orchard closely pent up by trees, ete., is 
injurious, nevertheless a screen of forest trees, at such distance 
from the fruit trees as that the latter will not be shaded by 
them, is of very great service in protecting the trees in spring 
from severe cold winds.—Bridgeman, Gardener’s Assistant, by 
Todd, IL., 39. 
A few orchards, in specially bleak situations, need protection 
from winter winds, but all orchards need wind-breaks toward 
picking time. The damage done in exposed orchards by the 
blowing off of fruit before it is reached by the pickers may 
amount to 50 per cent of the entire value of the crop, or even 
more. Belts of natural timber furnish most protection ; but they 
are apt to be the breeding grounds of noxious insects. <A thick 
row of arbor vite (white cedar), like that shown in Fig. 2, is 
easily grown, and furnishes ample protection. This occupies 
some land, however, and such dense belts of evergreens inter- 
fere seriously with atmospheric drainage (the rapid evening flow 
of cold air off the land to lower ground). This is a most impor- 
