94 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



that would })rotcct from any kind of a bliist, and the less obstruction between 

 her and tiie fruit trees the better. But judging from the growing practice 

 along the shore, I am convinced that there is a conviction among the people 

 that a .-hield of tree growth of some descri})'.ion is a necessary accompaniment 

 to successful fruit culture. If we require something of the kind here, where 

 location near so large a body of water is so much in our favor, how important 

 a matter it must become farther inland where they have no such modifying 

 element. The full force of our strongest winds has power to do incalculable 

 damage in many ways. It injures foliage, drops the fruit, breaks off limbs and 

 buds, piles up the sand, and in various other ways troubles the orchardist. I 

 have in mind now an orchard where I now board that in 1873 took the first pre- 

 mium in its class, it is exposed to tlie full force of the wind and has the entire 

 breadth of Lake Michigan to modify the temperature of the air moving from 

 that direction, but the orchard is a ruin, while others that migiit be considered 

 less favored from their distance from the lake remain in good vigor. The 

 question recurs to what will we do in this matter of protection, and if we use 

 evergreens, how shall we employ them? Evergreens are of slow growth gener- 

 ally, and those recently jilanted can be of very little benefit as a protection, 

 so that the return for expenditure is not an immediate one. My own plan 

 would be not to confine the planting to evergreens solely, but to us2 some quick 

 growing deciduous trees in connection therewith. The Lombardy poplar is 

 no friend of mine, I never was enamored with its habit of growth, but it develops 

 so rapidly that in the case mentioned with evergreens it might be admissible 

 until the evergreens get sufficiently developed to serve the purpo.-e for which 

 they were planted. Of course soil and location will have everything to do with 

 the selection of appropriate trees for tliis purpose. It must not be forgotten, 

 too, that evergreens until well uj) in the world will not stand the blowing sand 

 or severe winds, and therefore requn-e themselves the protection of hardy de- 

 ciduous trees for a time. However, after attaining some size the evergreens 

 usually cmi)loyed are quite hardy and serve an excellent purpose. Among varie- 

 ties I would select for the })urpose of protection, as first the Norway Spruce, 

 which seetns wonderfully adapted to all soils incur State. Upon light soilsthe 

 AV'hite Pine is a quick grower comparatively and forms an excellent barrier, and 

 is very beautiful. For lower growth Arbor Vitai is good, and our native hem- 

 lock is most beautiful of all. 



Mr. Anderson. — I would like to inquire about the Scotch fir. In my native 

 countrv it is considered rcmarkaltly good for a barrier to the wind, and is 

 cxtremelv hardv. 



Mr. Lyon. — What we know as Scotch pine is a good tree for this purpose; 

 however, after attaining some age it is liable to grow with rather an open head. 



Mr, Adams. — Next to the Norway spruce I would number the Austrian 

 pine, which is a pretty rapid grower, a grand tree, and as hardy as anything we 

 can secure for the purpose. 



Mr. Williams, of Saugatuck. — Some years ago 1 consulted Kobt. Douglass & 

 Sons as to the best evergreens to plant next the lake on our drifting sands, and 

 they recommended, above all others, tlie Scotch pine, but since then I have 

 noticed old trees of twenty or twenty-five years standing of this variety, and 

 the limbs seem to have a tendency to die out and leave the tree scraggy and 

 unsightly in a})i)earance. 



Mr. Glidden, — I saw near St. Joseph a shield of evergreen and deciduous 



