54 The Principles of Fruit-growing 



high. The side facing away from strong prevailing 

 winds is usually preferable, particularly if the elevation 

 back • of it is sufficient to act as a windbreak. 



2. In interior or frosty regions, the best slope for the 

 tender and early-blooming fruits, as a rule, is one that 

 retards the blooming period, thereby causing the plant 

 to remain comparatively dormant until the incidental 

 spring frosts are passed. In such places, therefore, the 

 northward and westward slopes are commonly 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. In regions in which there is much danger of sun- 

 scald on the trunk and larger branches, as in the mid- 

 continental country and in hot arid areas, it is well to 

 avoid pronounced southwestern exposures if possible; or 

 if it is not possible, extra precaution should be exercised 

 to train the heads of the trees in such a way as to pro- 

 vide the requisite shade. 



4. If one desires to secure particularly early results 

 and bright colors of fruits, a warm and sunny exposure, 

 to the southward or southeastward, is most advisable. 

 This is a matter of considerable moment with the finer 

 dessert varieties of fruits. 



5. It is sometimes necessary, also, to study the expo- 

 sure with reference to prevailing winds, when these winds 

 are more or less constant and strong. The selection of the 



