Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-05-13
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD
Protecting Orchards.


As general rule, fruits succeed better
I'M a wooded country, when new and par
TALLY cleared, than elsewhere or ever af-
terward. This Is probably owing TO sew
eral different causes; but the principal
ones are scarcity of noxious insects, rich
ness of soil, and the protection received
from the remaining forests. Without
wishing to depreciste the value of forests
as protection to orchards and gardens,
still we cannot agree with some writers
who have of late endeavored to show that
they are the one thing needful to make
our orchards once more productive, and
cause the fruit to grow without spot or
blemish. Even II, by restoring one.halt
of the original forests, this could be ef-
fected, 1t would still be doubtful policy,
inasmuch as the gain in one product must
necessarily cause corresponding loss in
ano,he
In many sections of the Eastern States,
there is as much land devoted to wood as
| is required to make the climate healthy and
leave sufficient area for cultivation In
prairie countries, there is doubtless an &c
tual deficiency Of forests, and certain
amount would be highly beneficial
We fear, however, that many persons
believe that narrow belt of trees will
answer the same purpose as large forest.
But this is an error !; for the most that can
be expected of a few trees is to break the
force of the winds, while the large for
ests give out great amount of heat dur
ing the coldest weather, and sensibly af-
feet the temperature of the air for miles
around.
Now, we are ready TO concede that
| every tree (and evergreens in particularly
that is planted about a place gives out a
certain amount of heat during the winter
and thereby contributes toward elevating
{ the temperature of the surrounding at.
mosphere. But the question arises Can
/ we add enough to be of any practical
) valueW
l In high, open situations, where the
| wind has full sweep, we believe protec
t tion to be highly beneficial, inasmuch al
I it breaks the force of the wind, but doei
8 not entirely prevent free circulation
= Every orchardist is aware that late frost
seldom occur when there is considerable
Q motion to the atmosphere; and we fre
J, quently hear the remark "1f the wine
!, keeps up we will have no frost to night
b but If it goes down look out for freeze.
n And for this reason protection in local.
d ties where late spring frosts are common
}. is usually more Injurious than beneficial
1 Then, again, trees that are protecte'
2 usually come forward more rapidly il
y spring than those that are unprotected
IS consequently are just in the proper condi
e tion to be severely injured.
g We believe that in many localities
l. protection would be beneficial to our OIL
Is chards; but every man who attempts
= erect one should study the climate frs
l. and decide whether it will be benefit O
n injury before the first tree is planted.
e Evergreens are preferable to deciduou
n inasmuch as they afford a shelter at tim
n when most needed. No general rule ca
y be given that would be safe guide in a
Is localities; for prevailing and injuriou
Of storms come from different points in diflel
D; ent portions of the country, and the il
it habitants in each are the best judges
e their own wants and needs-Hearth an
4. Home.