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New YorK AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 419 
It does not appear that much has ever been done in this State 
in the way of averting frosts. Truth is, not much can be done. 
Whitten’ has shown that injury from late spring frosts may some- 
times be averted by whitewashing trees, a process which delays 
blooming a short time —in some seasons long enough to prevent 
injury from a late spring frost. The reason for the retarding of 
the blossoms is that the operation covers the dark wood with white, 
a color which does not absorb so much of the heat of the sun. 
There seems to be no record in the reports under consideration of 
this having been tried in New York. I very greatly doubt, after 
having had some experience in whitewashing trees, whether in the 
average season it is worth while as a means of preventing injury 
from late frosts. Ina season of very bright sunshine, some benefit 
might accrue. It may be noted that the effect of spraying with 
lime and sulphur, or with bordeaux mixture, both of which give 
a light color to the wood, if applied at the right time, is to retard 
blossoming time. 
The influence of windbreaks in mitigating the effects of late 
spring frosts is a mooted question. From the experience of fruit 
growers in western New York, their value seems to depend largely 
upon the topography of the land. A windbreak dense enough and 
so situated as to prevent circulation of the air can only be detri- 
mental. So planted as to deflect or to cause air currents they 
become of value in keeping off frosts. More often than not, how- 
ever, we are told, they seriously check atmospheric drainage and the 
damage by frost is increased. Another disadvantage often spoken 
of is that, should the windbreak be to the north and of evergreens, © 
as is usually the case, the buds on the trees thus sheltered are 
forced and are therefore more liable to injury by late frosts. Of 
course this difficulty can be obviated somewhat by planting de- 
ciduous trees for the shelter, as these, coming in leaf in the spring, 
would not hasten the opening of blossoms. 
White-washing and windbreaks are inadequate to avert injury 
from frosts in this State. More and more the fruit-grower must 
come to realize that he must secure the greatest possible degree of 
immunity from frosts by selecting frost-free locations and frost- 
proof fruits. 
In choosing a site for an orchard both the climate of the locality 
and the climate of the plantation must be considered. In the first 
instance latitude, altitude and proximity to water are the chief de- 
mio, Star Bult 3851897. 
