36 



velop plenty of shade, and stand the abuse to which they must be sub- 

 jected by the animals. 



Fig. 24— Stock protection clump of white elm and box elder in the background. 



Protection Belts. 



Belts or rows of trees are frequently planted for protection to 

 orchards, fields or buildings. There is no doubt about the advantage of 

 such planting. Stock in protected barns will need less feed. Protected 

 houses will need less fuel. Orchard or fied crops benefit by having pro- 

 tection. The drying winds of summer do less harm where tree protection 

 exists. Orchards heavy with fruit are often protected so that loss from 

 wind-falls and broken branches is lessened. Protected fields of clover, 

 fall wheat, etc., hold the snow longer in the spring, which gives protec- 

 tion from frosts and loss of moisture from evaporation. 



Throughout the Province of Ontario the prevailing winds are west- 

 erly, which should be taken into consideration in planting shelter belts. 

 That is, to protect buildings or fields it is wise to plant on west, south- 

 west and north-west sides. 



The most satisfactory protection is to be had by planting evergreens, 

 as Norway Spruce or native White Spruce. These evergreens give pro- 

 tection both summer and winter by forming a dense growth down to the 

 ground. Arborvitae, Hemlock and White Pine are sometimes used in 

 such planting, but the Spruces are the best. 



Where one row of Spruce is to be planted, the trees should be spaced 

 from six to ten feet apart. When two rows is desired the trees should 

 be ei^ht to ten feet apart in the row and the rows eight feet apart. The 

 trees should be planted alternately as in Fig. 15 (page 28). Where trees 

 are to be planted as a protection to buildings, it may be advisable to plant 



