FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION 379 



tions. No one knows the location and character of groves better than 

 the land agent or the president of the county bank. People pay for 

 the benefit of protection and comfort as they pay for such benefits 

 in a city. 



Planting for Protection to Farmsteads. In this region protec- 

 tion is required on the south, west, and north sides of buildings. 

 The number and kinds of trees planted largely determine the effect- 

 iveness of the windbreak. While many of the protective plantations 

 comprise less than ten acres, this area is not greater than efficiency 

 demands. At the same time the plantation may produce fuel and 

 other material for farm uses. Since the cold winds are from the 

 north and west, the larger part of the plantation should lie in those 

 directions, and should consist of hardy, rapid-growing evergreens. 

 These afford the best kind of protection when most needed. Decidu- 

 ous trees are best for the southern part of the plantation. Gaps in 

 the windbreak may seriously affect its protective value, and should 

 always be avoided. 



Planting for Commercial Purposes. A certain amount of plant- 

 ing may be done for protective and woodlot purposes without regard 

 to its profitableness. When, however, planting for direct profit is 

 contemplated, more extensive inquiries become necessary. No one 

 would plant trees for profit without a reasonable assurance of real- 

 izing it. . Whether it pays to raise a wood-crop depends upon (1) the 

 market, (2) the cost of producing it, and (3) the species planted. 



As a result of the absence of natural supplies, posts, poles, and 

 fuel-wood are shipped into this region from northern Minnesota at 

 a freight rate of 10 cents a hundredweight, or about $3.50 a cord. 

 This, with the original selling price and the dealer's profit, brings 

 the local selling price up to from $7 to $11 a cord, depending upon 

 the quality, which is often inferior. In some instances wood is sold 

 by weight. Even at these prices woodland owners do not seek the 

 prairie trade. Cement and iron fence posts have been offered as sub- 

 stitutes for wooden posts, but as yet unsuccessfully. The chances 

 are that all classes of posts, lumber, and fuel will continually increase 

 in price. 



The value of the land is the first and, in some cases, the largest 

 item in the cost of producing a wood crop. Although trees can be 

 grown with profit upon the best soil, they do not require it. Wher- 

 ever there is soil too rough, too hilly, too sandy, or too wet for agri- 

 cultural crops, it should still produce good crops of trees, and for that 

 purpose should be the first selected. In case willow and cottonwood 

 are used the cost of the planting material should be trifling. Cut- 

 tings may often be had for the trouble of gathering them. Unfor- 

 tunately, coniferous stock is expensive. Planting and cultivating 

 are some of the smaller items of expense. 



In selecting a tree for commercial planting, its adaptability to 

 the climate and situation, and rapidity of growth are the chief con- 

 siderations. A tree may be perfectly hardy against cold, like willow 

 and cottonwood, but may not be drought resistant. Hence it must 

 be planted on sites that afford sufficient moisture for its best growth. 



