NATIVE EVERGREENS OF MINNESOTA. 421 



The common juniper is closely related to the red cedar but is a 

 dwarf in habit, spreading' out and forming- mats on the ground four 

 feet or more in height. It is generally found along bluffs of rivers. 

 Its great hardiness and pretty dwarf habit makes it a favorite for 

 ornamental purposes. There are a great many varieties distin- 

 guished by their form and habit of branching. 



The balsam fir is found in the northern half of the state in 

 swamps and cold, damp woods. It grows on moist, retentive soils, 

 holding on well in this section, but is poorly adapted and should 

 not be used for general planting, although it is very pretty when 

 young and grows with a slender, symmetrical top. As a timber tree 

 it is of no value, but might possibly be of use in crowding white 

 pine into timber form. 



The hemlock is scarcely found in Minnesota, overrunning only 

 near Cloquet, in Carleton Co. In Wisconsin it covers large areas 

 and yields large quantities of bark for the tanneries. It can be 

 grown in this section in sheltered localities. 



For windbreaks we may have a great many trees suited for the 

 purpose, but if not properly arranged they will not give the desired 

 results. The first object to have in mind is the subject of protecting 

 our buildings, their occupants and stock around the barns. In 

 planting these trees be sure to plant them far enough away from 

 the buildings to prevent the snow from drifting against them. 



It is not desirable to compose our windbreaks of one variety of 

 trees, but rather of mixed varieties. One drawback to plantings 

 made up of entirely one variety is that drouth, insects or fungous 

 diseases might destroy the whole planting at one time, while in a 

 judiciously mixed planting this could hardly occur. We should 

 not make the mistake that has often been made in planting Euro- 

 pean trees which are not adapted to our climate. Evergreens pos- 

 sess the quality of being more effectual as a windbreak and are 

 also more ornamental in winter than the deciduous trees, which at 

 that season have a dreary, pole-like appearance. 



The fact that some trees require more shade than others would 

 admit of growing one variety under another, making the planting 

 dense, and protecting some of the less hardy kinds, giving variety, 

 which would produce more beauty. 



The species that have thin foliage demand light, while those with 

 thick foliage generally endure considerable shade. The Norway 

 pine belongs to the former class, while the white pine, white cedar, 

 balsam fir and spruces belong to the latter. 



When trees are desired in the lawn for ornament, it is well to plant 

 those which will not be of too much obstruction to the view, select- 

 ing with reference to ornament. One should guard against having 

 many trees direetly in front of the house, as is often the case. 



EFFECT UPON THE HOME. 



Our forefathers selected their homes in the eastern forests and 

 were obliged to use every means to destroy the forests, for the pur- 

 pose of clearing their farms. As immigration drifted westward, upon 

 the great plains, the dreariness of the homes caused them to reflect. 

 The intense rays of the sun in summer and the cold blasts of winter 



