the amount of evaporation occasioned by the wind, and the 

 enormous draught from the ground is realized. 



In Minnesota weeds travel in a northeasterly direction, 

 because of the winds which blow from the West and South- 

 west at the time of the year when it is possible for weeds to 

 travel. This is in the late summer, fall and spring. Seeds 

 are carried and spread rapidly. The Russian thistle, for in- 

 stance, was brought by immigrants to their settlements along 

 the Missouri river in North Dakota. In two years they had 

 reached the eastern boundary of the state, traveling at the 

 rate of 100 miles a year. The thistle is a little tramp in it- 

 self, riding the blind baggage on railroad trains, stealing into 

 wagons and buggies and gathering a ride wherever possible 

 for it to lodge. One thistle will produce thousands of seeds, 

 each, in turn, to carry its proportionate amount of aggrava- 

 tion to farmers. Mustard, wild oats, Canadian thistle, crab 

 grass and the ox-eyed daisy also belong to the same class of 

 vagrants. 



Shelter belts, in a measure, will stop the drfting of these 

 wild weeds. Shelter belts will retard the movements so that 

 with proper care, they may be stamped out. 



Birds Which Destroy Insects Will Come to Live in the Trees. 



There is another reason why trees should be planted about 

 fields one which should appeal to him who loves nature and 

 the wide out-door world. Trees attract birds, afford them 

 homes and make them friends and workers for the agrarian. 

 It is said that a young robin will eat its own weight in worms 

 each day. The trees lure the catbirds, finches, thrushes, 

 doves, larks and sparrows all enemies of the pests which 

 get to growing crops. The finch is the natural enemy of the 

 potato bug, and the doves, larks, thrushes and other field 

 birds will destroy more worms, insects and bugs in a day 

 than any man can destroy. 



Out on the bleak prairies of some of the more Wesjtern 

 states, the blizzards each winter make life practically un- 

 endurable. The cold North winds howl and cut with the sting 

 of a whip. From the beginning of the cold months till their 

 end, these winds drive back and forth without mercy. Cattle 



17 



