the advantages of shelter-belts. i07 



Advantages of Shelter-Belts to Stock. 



There are many districts in the Lammermoors where the 

 planting of suitable shelter-belts would prove of enormous 

 benefit to agriculturists, and to sheep farmers especially. In 

 many parts of Berwickshire, particularly in the Merse, there 

 are good shelter-belts on level wind-swept plains, the excellent 

 results of which are apparent in the earliness of the grass 

 in proximity to them. 



All flockmasters appreciate the advantages of early grass 

 for ewes and lambs in the spring, and the shelter the trees 

 afford is incalculable. The early growth of grass in close 

 proximity to plantations is more apparent in early spring than 

 later during summer, and that is just the time when it is 

 most wanted. Generally, on land sheltered by plantations 

 from the severe north and east winds, the early development 

 of grass is most apparent ; grass will be quite fresh and green 

 40 to 60 yards down the side of such shelter-belts, the width 

 depending on the height and density of the trees. But the 

 other effects of shelter-belts to stock, especially to ewes and 

 lambs during spring, are also great. With suitable and frequent 

 shelter-belts there would be fewer cases of "udder-clap" 

 amongst ewes, and fewer cases of "joint-ill " amongst lambs, 

 whilst, because of the more easily maintained natural temperature, 

 sheep would be more healthy generally and would develop to 

 maturity more rapidly, which in these days of reduced prices is 

 an economic proposition which cannot be ignored. It is quite 

 impossible to reduce to figures the actual financial benefits 

 derived from suitable shelter-belts, but in the matter of sheep 

 on exposed uplands hundreds of pounds may be saved in 

 a single snowstorm in a single night. Most flockmasters and 

 shepherds of experience will corroborate this statement. 



On rough grassland possessing frequent shelter-belts cattle 

 could graze out during winter, with a little hay thrown down 

 during snow, and, indeed, they will thrive better than when 

 confined in courts. The economy of such treatment is too 

 obvious to require argument. 



When an estate is well intersected with shelter- strips it 

 virtually means that it has been removed to a lower, warmer 

 altitude ; there is increased warmth and moisture, and both 

 stock and crops correspondingly benefit; this is so obvious 



