378 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A test was made during the past winter to determine the efficacy 

 of laying down raspberry canes in order that they may receive the 

 benefit of a snow covering during winter. One-half the row of each 

 variety was laid down in the fall, the balance being left standing, 

 and in every case the latter were found to be dead on the approach 

 of spring, while the covered canes were alive to the terminal bud. 

 This clearly demonstrates that in an exposed position laying down 

 the canes is beneficial, but I do not consider it necessary when 

 planted with sufficient protection, as another patch of raspberries 

 growing on the farm, under less adverse conditions, came through 

 the winter splendidly with absolutely no protection. If the plan of 

 laying down the canes is adopted, it is essential that they be lifted 

 very early in the spring, otherwise the buds will be destroyed and 

 the results be worse than if they were left standing. 



All the trees are making splendid growth, and the vegetable 

 garden is in the pink of condition. Taken all together, it is a hor- 

 ticultural season par excellence. — Farmers' Advocate. 



THE SHELTER BELT. 



p. H. OVERGARD, ALBERT LEA. 



(So. Minn. Hort. Soc'y.) 



As a practical, industrious American people, we are looking 

 forward to improve present conditions in every line, and we find it 

 none the less true in the tree planting. 



Living in a severe climate our natural woods are more or less 

 thinned out, and some not having even that are looking for some- 

 thing to supplant them or to make a shelter belt. 



The willow is an important tree on account of its rapid growth 

 and numerous branches. The maple and box elder, the elm, and 

 least of all the willow, are not to be ignored as shelter belts. 



The evergreen, which I will speak of here, is far superior to 

 deciduous trees, because they afford greater protection against the 

 cold winds and driving storms of our severe northern winters, and 

 secure a more even distribution of snow, also a better protection 

 of our barn-yards and grounds, that the life of both man and beast 

 may be made more comfortable and profitable. 



Another effect of this shelter belt: it is not like a high board 

 fence which the wind sweeps over and drops down and on again, 

 and if there happens to be a driving snow storm leaves a huge drift 

 to mark its impeded course, but when the driving snow enters these 

 beautiful walls of green it seems to be chopped off by these millions 

 of tiny needles, and the snow sifts down on the inside gently and 

 evenly as if there were no driving storm outside. 



