436 ReEpoRT OF THE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE 
seems to chill vegetation and stops the normal functions of not 
only flowers but of leaves, the latter sometimes experiencing a 
set-back from which they never entirely recover. Lastly, winds 
may carry germs of plant diseases harmful to the plant —as for 
instance pear blight. | 
Beneficial effects— The wind may aid in the distribution of 
polien though it is doubtful if much good is done by air currents. 
in this way. On cold, clear nights, winds keep off frosts by re- 
newing the heat; or by bringing fogs or clouds from lakes or 
ocean frosts are prevented on the leeward side of the water. 
A study of the above effects and of conditions as they prevail 
in New York shows that winds do comparatively little damage in 
this State in blooming-time. The topography of the State, the 
amount of water in and surrounding the region, and timber lands 
give, for most part, favorable winds in the spring of the year, 
though occasionally considerable damage is done by high winds. 
Windbreaks are of doubtful value in protecting blossoms from 
wind, and probably decrease the beneficial effects of winds more 
than they mitigate the injurious effects. 
Table VI shows the days of sunshine and cloudiness and the 
direction of the prevailing wind at the 96 weather stations in New 
York. The regions having the greatest precipitation have the most 
cloudy weather, though rainfall and cloudiness are not exactly 
proportional in the several regions. : 
The influence of the Great Lakes on the winds which pass. 
over them is very marked in fruit districts adjacent to these 
bodies of water. Data collected by the U. S. Weather Bureau 
indicate that the surface of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario averages 
from 10° to 15° warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the 
nearby land. The tempering effects of winds are very marked in 
the area south and east of the Lakes but decrease rapidly toward 
the interior of the State. 
Most of the best fruit localities in the fruit districts of the State 
are in valleys or are sheltered by highlands. This sheltering effect 
of hills and highlands is an important factor in choosing orchard 
sites and can be made use of as a protection from winds to a 
great extent in a territory so irregular as New York. 
The night-blowing valley winds are important climatic factors 
in fruit growing in keeping off frost and in tempering cold of 
winter and heat of summer. These nocturnal winds usually begin 
blowing in valleys a few hours after sunset and pass down the 
