• * Winds in the Orchard
. The heavy ' gales have done much less damage to trees than might have been expected ; but where older and larger trees have. ridden the tempest out with little' loss, some of the younger and newly .,planted trees have gone over like ninepins. It is calculated, for example, that six thousand eider apple trees were tumbled over in the neighbourhood. of Hereford alone, in spite of strong stakes. Indeed, often. the stakes did more harm than good. They were eradicated' and dragged the trees clown though the roots held. The OUrnher of fallen trees is an indication of the revival of Herefordshire orchards. Perhaps more young trees have been planted out theredbouts within the last year or two than at any time in the records. In some • eases the dis. tributors of the trees sell trees and their defences at cost price ; plant, fix, prune and inspect. England must still rely on France for a certain proportion of its supply of cider apples in all years that are not bumper ; but the long-delayed revival of the orchards is at least beginning. In spite of the apparent ravages of the gales, very many of the trees have been restored to their places, and are not so much worse for the .rough experience.
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