THE WORK OF AN IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE. 53 



(excuse me), who have started this movement have fully and 

 thoroughly studied this matter and realize the importance of 

 the movement. It takes some of us slow thinkers at least two 

 thinks to fully understand the importance of this work. The 

 matter of village improvement is a very important one, and I 

 look upon this whole movement as a means of bettering all of 

 us, and it can be carried to an extent that few of us can re- 

 alize. I say Godspeed to the women, and I hope you will not 

 limit the operations of this society to the state of Minnesota, 

 but let it extend south to Iowa and the rest. (Applause. ) 



EVERGREENS FOR THE ORCHARD. 



MARTIN PENNING, SLEEPY EYE. 



I planted my first evergreens in the year 1874, My observation on 

 evergreens for a windbreak for the orchard is based on the last 

 fourteen years. 



My first observations were made in Wisconsin, in 1884. While I 

 was in Wisconsin, I visited numerous orchards. One orchard of ten 

 acres took my fancy. One row of evergreens was planted around 

 this orchard, ten feet apart. The apple trees were planted in rows 

 running east and west, sixteen feet apart. Two rows of apple trees, 

 then one row of Norway spruce ; two rows of apple trees again, then 

 one row of balsam, etc. The whole orchard was a beauty. 



In 1886, I planted 3,000 evergreens, Norway spruce, balsam fir, 

 Scotch pine and white pine. I planted them in my garden, which 

 contained three acres at that time. 



I had on the south side eighteen Duchess apple trees growing, and 

 my evergreens were planted within four feet of the apple trees. I 

 intended to take them away and sell them soon. Those that were 

 planted close to mj' apple trees were the Scotch pine. I sold the 

 best of them ; part remained on the place for eight years. The 

 apple trees were growing finely and bore apples. The evergreen is 

 by far the best tree for windbreak for the orchard. 



In 1888, I planted two acres in orchard. They were mostly plum 

 trees. I planted arbor vitae, Norway spruce and balsam fir for wind- 

 break. They are planted eight feet apart. All are fine looking 

 trees. 



In 1895, I planted two acres again. I planted Norway spruce on 

 the east and south sides ; on the west side, I planted red cedar, 

 which I consider the hardiest and best for the open prairie. They 

 grow about as fast as any evergreen if cultivated. 



I have now on my farm, seven acres in garden, small fruit and 

 in orchard. I planted only evergreens for windbreak. The ever- 

 greens are an ornament, and improve the farm ten-fold for the 

 outlay. I recommend planting evergreens for the orchard for 

 windbreak. 



