442 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Timber belts and windbreaks are equally beneficial to the growing 
of small fruits, and in many places they cannot be successfully 
grown without some protection of thatnature. The best grapes are 
always nearest to the shelter on the north and northwest. Currants, 
raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are always better for pro- 
tection on the south and west, and need much less extra winter cov- 
ering when thus protected and for the very reasons heretofore men- 
tioned, viz., that windbreaks protect from cold, retain snow in win- 
ter and retard evaporation of moisture in summer. In many loéal- 
ities in this state it would be about out of the question to raise 
strawberries without the protection ofa timber belt or hedge. 
Also, the kitchen garden is greatly benefited by surrounding it 
with atimber windbreak. The soil becomes warmed up and in con- 
dition to plant earlier, most varieties will generally mature earlier, 
and the yield will be larger and the quality better. 
There are some horticulturists who hold to opinions directly op- 
posite to mine, at least so far as orcharding is concerned. I have 
no reason to question their honesty and will admit that I have seen 
injuries result from forest protection, but it can almost always be 
traced to an improper relation of the two. The proper relation be- 
tween the two varies greatly with the shape, aspect and surround- 
ings of the adjacent country. If the country is nearly level, itis my 
opinion that a windbreak upon the west side of the orchard or fruit 
garden is always beneficial, also on the southwest and northwest; 
with ground sloping to the south and higher elevations adjoining 
or near by on the north, the windbreaks should be upon the south 
and southwest sides and omitted on the north, except for grapes, 
strawberries and vegetables. 
In ground sloping to the north and northeast—which is generally 
recommended—the windbreaks should be on the north and north- 
west sides, and, if practicable, the north belt should be upon ground 
somewhat higher than the lowest partof the orchard. In all cases 
it would be better if there could bea strip of ground between the 
orchard and the shelter provided that is a little lower than that 
upon which either of them stand. No greater depression than can 
be made by two or three plowings of the ground, finishing in the 
same dead furrow, will answer a very good purpose. Windbreaks 
upon the south side of an orchard may safely stand nearer than 
upon other sides, but in no case Should the windbreak and orchard 
be so near together that the roots of the trees comprising them will 
eventually run together and rob the soil of the nutriment and 
moisture needed for the well being of each other. 
The inner line of the break on the north side of an orchard should 
be at least fifteen feet inside of the next line and far enough from 
the fruit trees to prevent reflected heat reaching back to them, and 
the trees in this line are better if not standing too close together. 
For the orchard alone I think a broad and rather open break of 
evergreens and deciduous trees mixed would prove the best; for 
most other purposes close planting of evergreens is probably the 
best. 
