APPLES 97 
Mosier Hills. 
is 1,000 feet above the sea, and just above 
that is a level 100 feet higher, the 1,100 
foot elevation would be a situation that 
would furnish air drainage, because of 
the lower levels that surround it, and into 
which the cold air tends to settle. How- 
ever, if a certain portion of the same 
country rose to an altitude of 1,200 feet 
and stretched out as a broad plateau in 
which there was a basin 100 feet deep, 
the land in the basin, though on the same 
level as the land at 1,100 foot elevation 
and 100 feet higher than the general 
level adjacent to it, would be in danger 
of frost because it was surrounded by 
higher lands which prevented air drain- 
age. 
Valleys 
Valleys are not objectionable if they are 
so situated that the air currents are not 
obstructed. However, if there are sud- 
den changes of direction so that the drift 
of the current would strike a hillside in- 
stead of continuing its course down the 
valley, the land in the valley would be 
considered to be located in a basin. 
Water 
It must always be borne in mind that 
Rolling Country Like This Is Excellent for Orchards. 
the temperature in cold weather, unless 
modified by breezes from large bodies of 
water, is cooler on the lower elevation 
than on the higher and therefore more 
likely to freeze. If a site is chosen with 
a view to protection from frost by the 
warmer temperature from large~ bodies 
of water, the direction of the prevailing 
winds should be considered, so that the 
warmer atmosphere will be carried across 
the site of the orchard. If the winds are 
strong, windbreaks may be necessary. 
Slope 
The question of a north or south slope 
is often discussed. This, like many other 
questions, must be determined by local 
conditions. If there is no danger of frost 
on either slope from that viewpoint the 
south slope is preferable because it gets 
more of the direct rays of the sun, the 
soil is warmer, the trees bloom and fruit 
a little earlier, and the fruit is more 
highly colored. In some sections, how- 
ever, the early fruiting and the warm 
sunshine are objectionable. If there is 
danger of frost then the north slope is 
preferable, from that viewpoint, because 
the orchard will be a few days later in 
