96 WINDBREAKS. 



A modification of underplanting that offers greater possibilities is to 

 leave the cottonwood belt incomplete; that is, not to use the entire 

 area allowed for it and to supplement the cottonwoods, when they 

 begin to thin themselves, with three or four rows of evergreens on 

 either side. Austrian pine should be used on the north side, since it 

 is hardy, dense, and fairly rapid growing, and white pine should do 

 well if planted along the south side where it will not get the full 

 force of drying winter winds. Both of these species will retain their 

 outside branches until the end of the 45-year rotation, and at the 

 same time their shading of adjacent crops will be the least damaging. 

 White cedar or arborvitae has been successfully- grown in Nebraska 

 when not exposed to winter winds. One or two rows of this species 

 would be a valuable auxiliary outside of the white pine on the south 

 side of the belt. Diagram 35 shows the ideal arrangement for a 

 160-acre farm in the Middle West. 



It includes, besides the main belt of cottonwoods, two full length 

 hedges of Russian mulberry and a third protecting the orchard from 

 south winds. It shows the arrangement of windbreaks, which with 

 slight revision will be practicable for any quarter section. The 

 essential features are these: 



(1) The house and barn are sheltered from northwest, north, and 

 northeast winds, but not from the summer winds, which are, on the 

 whole, cooling. The width of the grove, 10 rods, is sufficient to 

 make it a snow trap. 



(2) The orchard is protected on the north by a dense grove and on 

 the south and west by a mulberry hedge which will thoroughly 

 protect the outer trees and at the same time do little damage by 

 shading or sapping. The fruit of the mulberry will entice the birds 

 from the more valuable orchard products. 



(3) The large field to the north of the high cottonwood grove is to 

 be used principally for corn, since the cottonwoods will afford summer 

 protection mainly. If desired, oats or a soiling crop may be used in 

 rotation. 



(4) The middle field of 40 acres may well be used for such crops as 

 wheat, rye, and barley, since it is protected from both winter and 

 summer winds. 



(5) The north field may be used for hay crops and for pasture. 

 For both of these purposes it will be benefited by the protection from 

 hot south winds. 



(6) The use of this combination of species will furnish posts for 

 fencing from the osage, ash timbers for farm repairs, an unlimited 

 supply of cottonwood fuel, and eventually a good revenue from 

 cottonwood lumber. The evergreens used" are ornamental, useful 

 for protection of the home, and finally useful for split posts or fuel. 



