The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-02
Southwest Winds and Fruit Trees.

At q recent meeting In Chicago OF the
Nursery and Tree Planters Protective
Association, Mr.. II. w. 8. Cleveland
read an elaborate paper on the deleterious
influence of southwest winds on fruit
trees, which he regarded as one of the
most terrible enemies with which the
horticulturist has to contend. In 1843,
in New Jersey, he first noticed that all
mis- peach trees had lean to the north
east and the branches trend in the
same direction. This was due to the
fact that during the season of early
growth in April, May and June, while
the wood was full of sap and the young
shoots had not acquired the elasticity of
mature wood, the wind was often blow
ing for several days from the southwest,
holding them in constrained position till
they had lost the power of recovery. He
next observed that other trees were SINH.
larly affected, especially willows and
silver poplars, and that it was confined
to no part of the country, but that it
was easy in travelling to tell the points
of the compass by the trend of the trees
in exposed situations, which was invaria-
bly, toward the northeast. The mere
mechanical injury to the foliage is a
serious evil, but the worst effects are
those which come from its absorption of
moisture and vitality. Grapes that
flourish in Southern Italy and California
conld not be raised in the same latitude
in New Jersey except under glass. Com
ing to Chicago he noticed that the whole
region on the eastern side OF Lake Mich
lgan, even as far north as Grand Trav-
erse, was the home of the peach, and the
grape, and of many varieties of forest
trees and shrubs, while on the west side
their culture was almost as impossible
as that of exotics. The feature which
the east shore has in common with
Southern Italy, California, etc., is, that
the southern wind before reaching it
must pass over great body of water,
and, instead of parching vegetation with
it fiery heat, it comes laden with the
moisture it has absorbed from the ocean
or lake, and wherever this condition of
things exist, the same result is found.
Therefore, other circumstances being
equal, a situation having large body Of
water lying to the south and west pos
sesses very great advantages for the
BIOWluH dlu uCliCutC tIOCo. M
only a small portion of fruit growers
can avail themselves of such situation,
the question of vital interest is whether
other means of protection cannot be
found. Observation and experiment
show that complete shelter from the
southwest wind is all that is necessary.
The remedy for the evil lies in forest
planting, and in so placing our orchards
as to receive protection by woods, and,
if possible, hills also, on the side from
which the danger comes.
Another measure OF protection from
the drying effects of both wind and sun
is mnlching, by which term is meant q
great deal more than is commonly un-
derstood by it. Leaves, chip dirt, dirt
stuff, straw, cornstalks, tan-bark, or any
refuse vegetable matter may be used
with equal success. They should be
applied to the depth of six or eight
inches. The result Will be that the soil
underneath will be Kept moist, and will
be filed with fine fbrous roots just as it is
in the woods under the natural mulch
ing of leaves which cover the ground.
The parching of the foliage will be no
longer seen, but on the contrary the
leaves will preserve their verdure and
the growth be much more luxuriant.