Year: 1877

At recent meeting in Chicago of the


Nursery and Tree Planters Protective


Association, Mr.. III. w. 8. Cleveland


read an elaborate paper on the deleter:oui


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 fret noticed thst all


mis- peach trees had lean to the north
east and the branches trend In the
same dirs ction. This was due to the
fact that during the season of early
growth in April, May and June, while
the wood was full of cap 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 simi
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 q
serious evil, tut the worst effects are
those which come from its absorption of
moisture and vitality. Grapes that
flourish in Southern Italy and California
could 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
igan, even as far north as Grand Trav-
erse, was the home of the peach, and the
grape, and of many varieties of forest
trees aud 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 q 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, situation. having large body OF
water lying TO the south and west pos
sesses very great advantages for the
growing Of fruits and delicate trees. As
only 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 O complete shelter from the
southwest wind is all that is necessary.
The remedy for the evil lies in forest
planting, aud in SO placing our orchards
as to receive protection by woods. and.
il 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 mulching, by which term is meant a
great deal more than is commonly un-
derstood by it. Leaves, chip dirt, dirt
stnff, 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, aud will
be filed with fine fibrous 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 aud
the growth be much more luxurisnt.