230 AGRICULTURAL ESSAYS. 



Remarks on tite Effects of different Shades on 

 Vegetation. 



As trees are placed either naturally or artificially around the 

 borders of fields appropriated to tillage, it is important that the 

 farmer should be apprised of the different effects which the 

 shades of different trees may have on certain plants. The in- 

 formation on this subject is derived from the certificate of Mr. 

 Livingston, of New- York. 



I planted maize, says he, on the west side of a young wood, 

 consisting of oaks, poplars, a few chesnuts, and a large mulber- 

 ry somewhat advanced into the field. The shade made by the 

 rising sun extended nearly across the field, and was not entire- 

 ly off until about ten o'clock. I remarked, that as far as the 

 shade of the chesnat reached, the corn was extremely injured; 

 it was yellow and small. The conical shape of the morning- 

 shade, from particular trees, might be traced a considerable 

 extent, in the sickly appearance of the plants. The black oaks 

 were likewise injurious, but less so than the chesnuts : the 

 poplars, very little eo. Near the mulberry tree the corn was 

 covered by its shade for a very long time every morning, and 

 though not so large as that which had more sun, maintained a 

 healthy appearance. 



He further remarks, that the shade of the black oak is partic- 

 ularly hurtful to the growth of wheat : that of the locust is, on 

 the contrary, beneficial to grass grounds : and that of the su- 

 gar maple does but very little injury to the growth of grain, 

 and none 'to grass. 



From the observations respecting the effects of the shades of 

 the sugar maple, the mulberry, and the locust, it might be ex- 

 pedient to piantifiose trees around some fields, designed for 

 pasture, grain, or meadow ; especially the locust, which, in the 

 essay on the management of wood land, is described to be ve- 



