Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-10

A bulletin Of more than usual interest has
been issued by the Experiment Station Of
Cornell University. which relates to the in
huence Of ~indbresks in relation to fruit
growing This work has been prepared by
Prof. L. II. Bailey of the department Of
hor,ie ulture. and is systematic. thorough and
quite conclusive in its statements and results.
The information which il embodies 10 the re-
suit OF three hundred inquiries addressed to
leadrg fruit growers in New York and
Michigan, asking for definite observation and
experience upon the subject, and Prof
Bailey says the replies embrace the whole
range of experience with ~indoreaks in con
neetion With fruit culture in the northeastern
States These replies are tAbula'ed andert~o
he adings-ihose which give de finite observa-
tons in favor of. and adverse to, viudbreaks.
Norway spruce is the kind of trees chiefly
recommended for the purpose Of screens.
They are recommended for all locations
where the wind has q sweep of q mile or
more, and the trees have an exposure to
I
mend screens for northern exposure. That
veteran fruit grover, John J. Thoma-, says
that our hardest fruits are better of with
some protection. Mr.. Patrick Barry writes
that on his grounds At Rochester that have a
western exposure he has usually planted
lines of Norway spruce, and it has been a
constant study with him how to avoid the
severity Of the west winds. Fruit which is
especially liable to loss from wind, As King
Of Tompkins apples or Duchess pears should
in all cases be protected with wiGd s:reens.
| The summary shoxs that the benefits out
weigh the disadvantages by many points. No
less than thirteen distinct and separate ad
vantages are claimed for windbreaks to or
chards in exposed locations; while only
to be sustained by the trees in the immediate
neighborbood of such screens. Under the
following general summary Prof. Bailey
gives both the advantages ard disadvantages
of the 81 stem -;
al. A windbresk may exert 4 great in
| huence upon fruit plantation
| 3 The benefits derived from windbFea Ks
are the following protection from cold ;
iessening of evaporation from soil and plants /;
iessenlng of windfalis; lessening # liability
to mechanical injury OF trees, retention of
Stow and leaves; facilitating of l,bJr; pro-
| lection of bloss ans from severe Winds en-
sbling trees To grow more erect l. ssening
Of injury from the drying up OF small fruits
ing of maturity of fruits in some cases; en-
coaragement of birds; ornamentstion.
3 The injuries sustained from wind
breaks are as follows Preventing the free
circulation of warm winds and cons, quent
exposure to cold; injuries from insects and
fungous diseases; Injuries from the encroaeh-
ment of the windbreak itself; increased Ii
ability TO late spring frosts ia rare cases. a.
rhe injury from cold. still air is usually con
| fined to those localities " hich are directly
influenced by large bodies of water. and
which are protected by forest belts. 1t can
be avoided by planting thin belts. b. The
| injury from insects can be averted by spray
| ing with arsenicai posons. c. The mi lry
from the encroscbment of the windbreak
may be sverted. in part at least, by good cul-
tivstiop and by planting the fruit simuta-
neously with the belt
| I. Windbresks are advantageous where
ever fruit plantations are exposed to strong
winds.
| ; In interior places, dense or broad
| belts, of two or more rows of trees. are de-
sirable. while within the influence of large
bodies Of water. thin or narrow belts, COM
prising but a row or two, are usually pre-
ferable.
| 6. The best trees for windbreaks in the
northeastern States are Norway spruce. and
Aust ian and Scotch pines, among the ever
greens. Among deciduous trees, most of
the rapidly growing native species are use
full. A mixed plantation, with the hardest
and most vigorous deciduous trees on the
~ipdward. is probably the ideal artificial
| shelter belt"