The Beneficial hifluencc of Trees. 29 



first plea, it must be admitted, is not altogether without foundation in 

 cases where surface-rooting trees have been planted in hedgerows, and 

 this style of planting is not to be recommended or encouraged, as 

 trees so planted are quite unnecessary where a proper quantity of 

 trees exist in neighbouring well laid- out plantations. The beneficial 

 influence of plantations as shelter to farm lands and crops is apparent 

 and indisputable, and requires no argument or evidence. Without 

 shelter good crops will not be obtained at high elevations, even on 

 moderate soils ; and it has been known, in cases wdiere land 

 without shelter was not worth cultivation, when portions of it were 

 planted, the remainder became good pasture, and yielded a fair return 

 on the cost of labour in cropping it. From the amelioration of the 

 climate and the shelter trees in sufficient quantities produce, their 

 beneficial effect on agricultural crops is very considerable. The finer 

 and more nutritive and productive crops can be grown on the same 

 land, while the mere growing of these crops tends to improve the 

 nature and quality of the soil itself Further, the land on which trees 

 themselves grow improves by their cultivation. It will be found that 

 after the trees have arrived at a size sufficiently large as not to be 

 injured by sheep, the ground will be better fitted for grazing than 

 before the trees were planted ; this arises not only from the shelter 

 produced, but from the improvement of the soil by the accumulation 

 of fallen leaves and decayed herbage, — the growth of herbage being 

 promoted by the better shade and shelter afforded, as well as the 

 action of the roots of the trees in pulverizing and loosening the ground 

 in which they are growing. It will also be found that even when the 

 crop of trees has been cut down, instead of the land having become 

 exhausted, and rendered unfit for pasturing or agricultural j)urposes, 

 it will be much improved. 



But the influence of trees, in improving the climate of a district 

 and producing shelter to the crops, is not the only benefit derived 

 from plantations, as the stock which graze such land is also thereby 

 benefited. In extreme cold and bleak situations animals cannot 

 improve upon the same food as upon well-sheltered land ; not only so, 

 but when a storm is approaching, they are to be seen standing close up 

 to the nearest fence for shelter, without feeding in any way ; whereas 

 in the vicinity of plantations they can browse and feed without feelino- 

 the effects of any moderate storm. Even in extreme cases the shelter 

 derived from plantations, although at some distance, is considerable. 

 The influence of trees upon climate and vegetation not only affords 

 more food and comfort for animals, but enables the farmer to keep a 

 better and more valuable class of stock than he otherwise could 

 do, with improved pasture and shelter in high-lying and exposed 

 situations. 



