324 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY. 



C. L. SMITH, MINNEAPOLIS. 



As one member of the committee on forestry, I desire to call the 

 attention of the society to the fact that the planting- of windbreaks 

 and shelter belts, which has been neglected during the past dry 

 years, should receive more attention. The indications are that after 

 a period of extremely dry seasons that have been very discouraging 

 to tree planters, especially in the dry prairie districts, we are now 

 entering a period of greater rainfall and more favorable conditions. 



There are too many prairie homes without any trees around them, 

 and many where there are only a few trees. This society should 

 urge the systematic planting of shelter belts and windbreaks, so 

 arranged as to shelter the farm buildings and stock yards from 

 driving winds and drifting snow. 



The publications of this society, of the forestry association and of 

 the experiment stations furnish the necessary information to enable 

 the planter to select the right trees, to plant and care for them and 

 their value and advantage. The need of today is such a presentation 

 of the subject to the farmers as shall arouse their interest and 

 stimulate them to action. The contrast between the home and the 

 prairie where a good and sufficient number of trees have been 

 planted and the one entirely without trees, is a valuable object 

 lesson that should be persistently used. 



Work now under way at the sub-experiment stations in Lyon and 

 Polk counties will no doubt increase the interest in tree planting 

 and prove valuable aids in giving practical, intelligent direction to 

 the work. Many farmers have visited the experiment station during 

 the past year,and we should do all we canto encourage this custom, 

 as it familiarizes the farmers with the work being done, arouses 

 their interest and gives them more faith and courage. 



If, as we now believe, we are to have a period of inore favorable 

 conditions, we should take advantage of them and multiply and 

 enlarge the tree plantations on the prairie farms of the state. 



The matter of protecting and preserving existing forests is receiv- 

 ing more attention than in former years, and the work of the state fire 

 warden has undoubtedly done much to stay the wanton and useless 

 destruction of timber. Let us keep constantly before the people of 

 the state the value and importance of trees, the necessity of careful 

 planting, thorough cultivation and heavy mulching, sticking to 

 the white willow, box elder, ash and soft maple, rather than running 

 after new, untried or high priced novelties. After the shelter of 

 willows is started, then follow with the pines, cedars, spruces and 

 walnuts. Let us continue to agitate, educate, importune and illus- 

 trate, tmtil every farm home shall be sheltered with trees that pro- 

 tect alike from the hot, drying winds of summer and the cold blasts 

 of winter. 



For Tomato Rot. — Bordeaux mixture has proven an effective pre- 

 vention of tomato rot. Tomatoes grown upon land upon which old 

 plants had remained during the previous winter, are much more 

 subject to attack from leaf fungi than if produced upon fresh land. 

 — O.J. Fa rna er. 



