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REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 341 



FOREST TREE SHELTER BELT. 



Nofcwithstanding the dry season the forest tree shelter belt has made good progress, 

 the trees having made a small but healthy growth. This belt has now become very 

 dense, and with the accumulation of the leaves of several years' growth, to act as a 

 natural mulch, the evaporation is reduced to a minimum. 



Work in keeping down weeds by cultivation has been unnecessary in this block for 

 the last two years, and it is now kept up without expense, except for occasional 

 thinning. 



In continuation of last year's report, descriptions are given of some of the most 

 useful trees in this belt with average heights and spread of branches in the following 

 notes : 



Green Ash (Fraxinus viridis). — This is a native tree and grows readily from seed. 

 It is not, however, a popular tree on account of the lateness of leafing in the spring and 

 its slow growth. 



Measurement of an average 9-year old tree was 2| inches in diameter, 1 foot from 

 the ground, and 10 feet high, the wood is valuable both for fuel and manufacturing 

 purposes. 



Balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifera). — This native tree is deserving of praise, it 

 is a rapid grower attaining a large size and although the wood is not specially useful for 

 lumber it makes fair firewood and is a desirable shade tree. An average tree (9 years 

 old) measures 16 feet high, 12 feet spread of branches with a trunk 4 inches in diameter, 

 1 foot from the ground. 



Native Aspen (Populus tremuloides). — This tree is found common in all parts of 

 this province. The prairie fires are its greatest enemy ; in tracts of country protected 

 from fire for a few years, little blufis grow up in profusion. It is the wood used almost 

 exclusively for fuel in Manitoba and is excellent for that purpose, it is not specially 

 desii'able as a shade tree. 



The measurements of a 9-year old tree are as follows : — 16 feet high with 5 feet 

 spread of branches and a trunk 4 inches in diameter at the base. This poplar can be 

 propagated from cuttings. 



Mossy-cup Oak (Quercus macrocarpa). — This is the native scrub oak. The maxi- 

 mum height of this tree is about 40 feet. 



Its knarled trunk and brittle wood reduces its value ,for manufacturing purposes, 

 but it is much valued as fuel. It is a very slow grower, average specimens grown from 

 seed were measured at 8 years old and were 3 feet high with a trunk 1|^ inches in 

 diameter. Propagation is not diificult from the acorn. 



White Willoio (Balix Alba). — This was sent from the Central Farm in 1890. It 

 has done remarkably well here, grows naturally in tree form to a large size. Its capa- 

 bility to withstand a bleak exposure makes it highly desirable for general culture. 

 Height 20 feet, spread of branches 13 feet, diameter of trunk 6 inches, tree measured 

 was 8 years old. 



American Larch (Larix Americana). — This is indigenous to the province and is much 

 sought after for fuel. It seems to thi»ive equally well on the upland prairie as in the lower 

 valley lands, although it is usually found in the swamps in the vicinity of the sandhills, 

 where young seedlings can be procured in abundance. A specimen planted 8 years ago 

 now measures 10 feet high, 4 feet in spread of branches, with a trunk 4 inches in diameter 



1 foot from the ground. 



HEDGES. 



The use and beauty of a well trimmed hedge is becoming more and more acknow- 

 ledged each season, also the value of untrimmed or partially trimmed hedge inclosures 

 for shelter, and many inquiries are made as to the varieties of trees and shrubs best 

 adapted for these purposes. 



