56 ELEMENTARY FORESTRY. 



selves if left alone it would be at the expense of growth and per- 

 haps cause serious injury. Trees that are crowded together may 

 suffer more from drouth than those that have plenty of room 

 for their roots. This is especially true of tender trees on dry 

 land. If the trees begin to crowd one another the poorest 

 should be removed, but this should be done carefully and never 

 to such an extent as to let in the sunlight, which would encour- 

 age the growth of grass, weeds and side branches. Thinning 

 may be done at any time, but if the wood taken out is to be used 

 for fence posts or poles it would be better to cut in winter and 

 peel at once to aid it in curing. 



The Blowing Out of Small Seedlings planted in prairie 

 soil is not uncommon where they are in very exposed situations. 

 The movement of the young seedlings by the wind keeps the soil 

 loose around them, which the severe winds blow away. Occa- 

 sionally by such means the roots may be left three or four inches 

 out of the ground the first season. In such very severe loca- 

 tions it is often a good plan to mulch the soil with straw or sim- 

 ilar material until the seedlings are well established, after which 

 they may be cultivated, or the mulching process may be contin- 

 ued until they will take care of themselves. 



The Proper I/ocation of the Buildings on a Farm 

 is a very important matter and seldom receives the attention 

 which its importance demands. The position of the buildings 

 determines the location of the drives and of the shelterbelts if 

 any are to be planted. There are many factors which should 

 enter into the study of this question, among the first of which is 

 the lay of the land. Good drainage and good water are the first 

 requisites for the location of a home, after which come con- 

 venience and beauty. It is very desirable that the first location 

 be made just right, since when other improvements and build- 

 ings have been commenced it can seldom be changed without 

 much extra expense. In the case of most of our farms the sub- 

 ject of plans is conspicuous by its absence, as small cramped 

 grounds about inconveniently arranged buildings bear abundant 

 evidence. 



In figure 5 is shown four plans suggestive of the proper loca- 

 tion of the shelter belts about farm buildings located on level 

 prairies, and varying according to the location of the main high- 

 way. Five acres in the form of a rectangle, 25 rods wide and 32 



