HORTICULTURE. 



355 



Observations at the station were made on the effect of wind-breaks in 

 checking evaporation of moisture. The relative evaporation at differ- 

 ent distances from wind-breaks was found indirectly by determining 

 the percentage of water retained in the soil at those places. Determi- 

 nations of the water content of the soil at various points north and 

 south of osage orange hedges, which were about 5 ft. high and rather 

 thin, gave no definite results. Determinations of soil moisture at inter- 

 vals of 2 rods for a distance of 15 rods north of a belt of 15 rows of 

 forest trees from 4 to 8 ft. apart and 20 to 3() ft. high showed a decrease 

 in the percentage of water as the distance from the trees increased. 

 This decrease was noticeable for about 10 rods, there being no marked 

 variation beyond that. The results are illustrated by a diagram. 



The evaporation of water as influenced by wind-breaks was observed 

 directly by means of evaporometers, one being placed 3 rods north, 

 one 12 rods north, and one 20 rods south of a belt of 22 rows of trees 

 from 4 to S ft. apart and 25 to 40 ft. high. The evaporation was meas- 

 ured continuously from the middle of July to the middle of Septem- 

 ber. The effect of the wind-break in checking evaporation is shown 

 graphically by means of diagrams. The relative quantities of water 

 evaporated in the three positions named are given for the whole period, 

 for the aggregate of periods when the wind was northerly, when it 

 was southerly, aud when it was easterly, westerly, and unrecorded, 

 and for special periods when there was a strong south wind combined 

 with low relative humidity. In the following table these data are 

 brought together: 



Relative evaporation at different position* with reference to n wind-break. 



Position of evaporome- 



tir with reference to 



wind-break. 



20 rods south 

 12 mils north 

 3 rods north. 



During 



whole 



period 



(two 



months). 



During periods when 

 wind was— 



Easterly, 

 North- westerly. South- 

 erly, unre- erly. 

 corded. 



During special periods with strong 



south wind and low relative humidity 



August 3. 

 12 hrs. 



ioo loo 



91 112 



71 101 



100 100 



91 83 



78 55 



August 



•_'4 audi'.-). 

 25 hrs. 



100 

 67 

 29 



100 

 82 

 37 



August Septem- 

 27 and 28, ber 7, 



29 hrs. 10 hrs. 



100 

 83 

 38 



100 

 72 

 47 



Measurements of the height of millet in the field north of the wind- 

 break above noted were made September 7. The results are given in a 

 diagram. The author says: "The trees affected the millet injuriously 

 for about 2 rods. For the next 3 rods it was very large. From 6 rods 

 to 15 rods north of the wind-break there was a marked and uniform 

 decrease in height." 



Observations are also reported on the greater abundance of dew near 

 the wind-break than at a distance from it. 



Report of the horticulturist, S. M. Emery {Montana Sta. Bui. 

 12, pp. 73-93). — General remarks are made on the work of the horticul- 

 tural department of the station. Lists are given showing the number 



