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SHELTER BELTS. 369 
SHELTER BELTS. 
O. C, GREGG, LYND. 
The strong prevailing winds which sweep over the prairie regions 
of Minnesota are continually saying to every thoughtful man, 
“Make a shelter.” When we have stood within the sheltered area of 
groves and trees, we have thought that the lull of the winds found 
therein was a lullaby of peace, while the winds which were beat 
’ back by the branches and leaves howled their defeat in the tree tops. 
When one has grown such a protection as that about his home, so 
that the houses and outbuildings upon his prairie farm are so pro- 
tected, there is a sense of satisfaction that ranks high among the 
enjoyments of life. This is very naturally so, because we are by 
constitution and heredity arace of fighters, and to overcome brings 
one of the greatest of joys; and when the head is enlightened and 
the sympathies are elevated, there is found to bea greater joy in 
overcoming the ruggedness of nature than in the destruction of 
one’s fellowman. So much forthe philosophy of the joy found in 
growing trees upon the prairie. 
THE NECESSITY OF TREES. 
We have already quoted one, namely, the need of protection about 
a homestead from sweeping winds that prevail at times, during all 
seasons of the year. As the prairie sod decays and the land is fre- 
quently turned by the plow, the soil which has been held to its place 
for generations is loosened so that the winds carry much of it away: 
The only check upon the wastage lies in shelter belts, as well as in 
a rotation of crops, which includes the grasses (which will do with 
their roots what the prairie sod does.) 
But little if any fruit can be successfully grown unless protected 
by shelter belts. Every year the good effects of mulching in fruit 
growing are more manifest, and that mulching cannot be held in 
place unless applied to ground sheltered by trees. When we speak 
of ashelter belt as being composed of willows, as we do in this 
article, then we should not fail to note that it is under their shelter- 
ing care that we can grow the more enduring evergreens. Experience 
has taught us that itis practically a waste of money and time to 
attempt to grow evergreens without this protection from the hot 
sweeping winds of summer, but when so protected the evergreen 
can be very successfully grown. 
We think the time will come when a greater number of people will 
appreciate the value of belts of trees planted about the boundary 
lines of the farm so as to include about eighty acres in each field, 
according to the size and plan of the farm. Under the protection 
of such shelter belts corn will fertilize much better than when 
planted inthe open; grain will not shell out nearly as rapidly as 
when it stands unprotected from the heavy winds. 
The bleakness of the prairie can be greatly enlivened by rows of 
the golden willow planted for the purpose of a shelter belt. When 
autumn comes, and it has shed its leaves, then the rich color of the 
bark, from which it derives its name, isa pleasant feature in the fall 
and winter landscape. 
