THE Soo Line is going to buck the Northwest wind in 

 earnest. It has doomed the portable snow-break, which 

 for many years has contributed to the landscape along 

 its system, and has adopted a policy of tree planting to pro- 

 vide permanent barriers that will keep the rails clear in 

 winter. 



In charge of the work is C. S. Galbraith as forester, re- 

 cently engaged from the Canadian Pacific system., where he 

 had spent* six years in similar work. In Canada his tree 

 planting along the C. P. grade would measure up to nearly 

 200 miles if strung altogether. 



The portable snow-break never gave any kind of satisfac- 

 tion to the roads, according to Mr. Galbraith. It was a nui- 

 sance in having to be put up and taken down every year. It 

 depreciated fast and required constant repair and replace- 

 ment. It was a fire catcher. It required the labor of a con- 

 siderable force of men to make it serviceable. 



Tree planting has already been begun by Mr. Galbraith, the 

 first work being done on the line east and west of Adams, N. 

 D. Box elder, ash and ccttonwood will be used largely, with 

 a hedge in front in the teeth of the wind. It is estimated 

 that for the first three years after planting the trees will need 

 attention. After that they take care of themselves. 



"While the purpose of this work is mainly economic," said 

 Mr. Galbraith, "we do not lose sight of the fact that trees 

 along the right of way add to the scenic beauty of the line. 

 We plant on both sides of the track, about 40 feet from the 

 rails. In a few years we shall have breaks that will defy 

 any snowstorm. Stretches of track most exposed to the wind 

 and given the most trouble by snow will be attended to first 

 in our planting." 



The Great Northern is said to be the only other Northwest 

 road that employs a forester that is engaged in similar work. 



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