THE IMPORTANCE OF SHELTER. 597 



of onr eastern lakes, — after making a reasonable allowance for the mixing and 

 shading into each other of these diverse influences, — we shall find nearly all 

 the timber lands of western and central Michigan, on the northwesterly side 

 of such line, and hence within reach of the influences of the winds pass- 

 ing over Lake Michigan ; while upon the opposite side will remain the great 

 body of the treeless and lightly timbered lands of the State ; corresponding 

 more nearly to those of the western plains and prairies, and apparently, to a 

 great extent, the result of a similar combination of climatic influences, thus 

 affording very conclusive evidence of the favorable influence of the lake winds 

 upon tree growth. 



In drawing inferences from these last facts, we may be allowed the remark, 

 that the timber growths of Michigan may be assumed to be the result, to a 

 great extent, of the lake influence exerted during the growing season ; and 

 that the protection of fruit growth results, quite as essentially, to say the 

 least, from such influence exerted during the winter; hence the fact that the 

 latter can only be relied on as fully effective, within comparatively short dis- 

 tances inland ; while the former is found to be in a considerable degree potent, 

 across the entire breadth of the peninsula. 



The facts elaborated during the discussion of the subject, seem also to impel 

 us to the conclusion, so far-reaching in inferences, that the timber growths 

 resulting from lake influence become, in turn, a medium for the husbanding 

 and extending or diffusing of such influence ; so that while nature's leafy 

 mantle remains comparatively undisturbed, the joint lake and forest protec- 

 tion may be relied on as effective, in almost any locality in which they shall be 

 found associated, even for the growth of the more tender fruits, as was found 

 to be generally the case in the early settlement of the countr3\ 



CONCLUSIOX. 



We might, in conclusion,' evoke the aid of statistics, for the purpose of 

 enforcing upon the public mind the immense pecuniary consequences that 

 impend upon the proper working out of this great problem. No doubt if 

 the relative statistical value of the mere orchard interest of the State could be 

 correctly elaborated and spread before us, it would demonstrate that the 

 amount of capital invested in the culture of fruit and fruit trees in Michigan 

 exceeds that invested in stock raising, wheat growing, or any other single 

 interest to which the agriculture of the State is devoted ; and that the total of 

 losses in this interest alone, the result of mere ignorance or thoughtlessness, 

 would, could they be saved and utilized for the purpose, prove more than 

 doubly adequate to the payment from year to year, of our entire State, county, 

 and town or other municipal expenses. 



This may, to many of us, at first thought, be esteemed a random statement, 

 and hence unworthy of careful consideration, and we are aware that no proper 

 attempt has ever been made, by State authority or otherwise, to properly ascer- 

 tain the relative value of this interest ; nor yet to determine the extent to which 

 increased knowledge and improved systems of management may be made to 

 minister to the increase of the wealth of our people from this source. If, 

 therefore, this discussion of the question shall have the effect to direct public 

 attention to the matter, and by so doing shall lead to the ultimate i*emedying 

 of the omission, I shall feel that my effort has not been entirely vain. 



