Io8 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to the casual observer that undue insistence on the fact appears 

 unnecessary. 



Formation of Shelter-Belts. 



The formation of shelter-belts will naturally depend on the lie 

 and contour of the land, but planting strips too narrow should 

 be avoided because they require to be of a fair width in order 

 that the trees may shelter each other against prevailing winds. 

 It is an advantage to make each hundred yards of the line 

 alternately convex and concave, for by this method shelter can 

 be procured practically from three directions. On hill land 

 the irregular outline will cause no inconvenience, whilst on 

 arable land the line may be practically straight, depending, 

 of course, on existing fences, water-courses, and the general 

 contour of the land. 



Where, on specially exposed heights, it is necessary to plant 

 considerable areas, apart from simple shelter-strips, it may be 

 wise to lay the areas off in the formation of the letters L or T, 

 and the boundaries and general contour of the land will 

 determine which is preferable, with the idea of procuring the 

 greatest amount of shelter from the greatest number of 

 directions. In cases where inside plantations are required, 

 apart from boundaries of farms and estates, it is advantageous 

 to plant them in squares in the centre of wind-swept areas, for 

 by this method shelter is obtained from all directions. 



Shelter-belts must be interpreted by farmers as diametrically 

 opposed to lines of hardwood trees in hedgerows ; these latter 

 possess no practical value as shelter, unless to protect stock 

 from the scorching sun during hot weather, and they are 

 a considerable nuisance on arable land. Crops do not grow 

 under them, and the roots and lower lateral branches are 

 frequently seriously in the way of cultivation. It is true they 

 possess a certain ornamental effect, but this ought not to be 

 considered for a moment against practical utility. 



Kind of Trees to Plant. 



As conifers grow most rapidly, and provide most shelter, the 

 species best adapted to the particular altitude and soil, whether 

 inland or on the seaboard, should be selected. It is an excellent 

 plan to have a margin of beech trees planted round the outside 



