THE PLAINS SHELTERBELT PROJECT 



265 



posal to create shelterbelts there. It has been conclusively demon- 

 strated that trees can be successfully grown in the plains region where 

 the available annual rainfall does not fall below 18 inches and in 

 some sandy soils where the precipitation is as low as 15 inches per 

 annum. 



The function of the shelterbelt project is to produce trees in the 

 relatively treeless Middle West to reduce the destructive effects of 

 wind. It is believed that this will result in conserving moisture, and 

 will stabilize the productiveness of the land, develop game and recrea- 



CROSS SECTION OF TYPICAL SHELTER BELT ON TEN ROD STRIP 



Prevailing Wind 



EFFECTS OF SHELTER BELTS ON WIND VELOCITY 



PROTECTED ZONE 



FIG. 132. Diagram showing cross section of typical shelterbelt and effects of 

 shelterbelts on wind velocity. 



tional resources, and make the countryside a much better place in 

 which to live. The purpose is not to withdraw any considerable areas 

 from agriculture and change it to a forest region, but to make a part 

 of it more habitable and more valuable for agriculture through tree 

 planting. Trees will therefore be planted on farm land rather than on 

 range land. 



Acquisition and Control of Land. Stability of land tenure is neces- 

 sary for a project of such permanency and size. The project is based 

 on the premise that the Government shall own or control all lands on 

 which trees are planted. Under private control trees are seldom given 



