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452 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL society. a 
understand its importance, before we can expect much hearty _ 
support in this direction. Much could be attained through our ~ 
school system, the public press, farmers’ institutes, etc., ut would va 
act as incentives to this end. 
The settler of the forest region, like his predecessor in ime siden 
states, attacks all trees and shrubs, with a mania for clearing 
everything, regardless of position or jheintuedee they may exert on 
his future comfort or happiness, leaving his home as exposed and 
cheerless as on some open prairie. On the other hand, no one feels 
the need of or appreciates their value better than the prairie 
resident. Without their modifying and congenial influence, success 
with fruits would be an impossibility. The benefits derived there- 
from largely depend on the position and the method of planting. 
The prime object of a shelter belt is for the protection and comfort 
it affords, and in setting one out there are two essentials that should 
not be overlooked: first, the trees must not be placed too close 
to buildings or paths, as drifting snow from them will cause 
inconvenience; second, choose varieties that will do well in that 
section and do not use short-lived trees entirely. 
Those trees that can be readily grown from cuttings are more 
commonly seen in tree planting as pioneer trees, and some of them 
are very desirable. The cottonwood makes a very good tree in 
places, but, like the Lombardy poplar, it reaches maturity in a short 
time unless in favorable soil or where its roots can reach permanent 
moisture. The white willow is one of the most satisfactory and is 
more commonly used for this purpose than any othertree. The © 
golden willow, as far as tried, seems very satisfactory, and owing 
to its bright colored bark it is more attractive. 
The most practical plan in vogue at present for a shelter belt 
consists of planting an outside row of willows—green ash or elm is 
also desirable but of slower growth. A space of three or four rods 
should be left between that and the next or inner row, ts hold the 
drifting snow. The second set may bea single row or more, as 
desired, of the same kind of trees, or, quite acceptably, of such hardy 
evergreens as white spruce or Scotch pine. 
Within this enclosure, as soon as our windbreak shall have attained 
some size, we can safely plant such hardy ornamental and fruit 
trees as desired. White birch will be found to contrast very nicely ~ 
with evergreens. Very few farms have any nut trees onthem. The 
walnut, butternut and hickory can easily be grown in most parts of 
the state and will be found remunerative as well as adding to the 
attractiveness of the farm and home. 
In the selection of the varieties of fruits, we would again urge the 
necessity of planting only the hardiest standard sorts—leave the 
novelties for some one else. 
It will be found more economical as well as convenient to plan 
everything in long, straight rows, running them north and south 
preferably. By planting the apple and plum thus, currants, goose- 
berries and cherries and top-growing varieties of the raspberry 
may be grown in the same rows between the trees without injury to 
either, trees being set about twelve feet apart in the row and the 
