afford better winter protection than deciduous trees. Within their 

 planting ranges the Austrian pine and Scotch pine make compara- 

 tively rapid growth and serve the purpose well. 



A windbreak consisting of a single row, to be effective, should be 

 composed of a densely growing species which branches close to the 

 ground. For low breaks of this character the Russian mulberry and 

 Osage orange are excellent. The cottonwood is often used for wind- 

 bieaks in the valleys. 



The primary utility of windbreaks is to shelter an orchard or a resi- 

 dence site, to prevent hot winds from scorching the field crops, and to 

 conserve soil moisture within the protected area. They may also be 

 planted about open pastures for the protection of stock. Inciden- 

 tally, the windbreak may furnish useful material, but it should be 

 placed along the sides of fields and buildings where it will afford the 

 most effective protection. 



WOODLOTS. 



Wherever agriculture is practiced in the plains region, the farmer 

 will find it profitable to devote a few acres of good land to trees. It is 

 true that some time must elapse before the plantation will become 

 productive, but by the choice of rapid growing species and by close 

 spacing the thinnings which will be necessary in a few years will 

 provide material suitable for fuel, stakes, and the like. 



The choice of species is limited and will depend somewhat on 

 the location. Trees that grow rapidly and at the same time pro- 

 duce wood of good quality are best. If they also sprout from the 

 stumps, the forest may be made permanent with a little care. Where 

 it succeeds, black locust combines these desirable qualities in the 

 highest degree. Other species which are useful in woodlot planting 

 are Osage orange, Russian mulberry, honey locust, green ash, and 

 hardy catalpa. The range of catalpa is more restricted than that of 

 the other species. 



A judicious mixture of species is often advantageous. Differences 

 in habits of growth and ability to withstand shade can thus be made 

 to aid in the development of well-formed trees. At the same time 

 the owner can have both fast and slow growing trees and a wider 

 choice of timber for different needs. 



SHADE TREES. 



For street and roadside planting the most suitable trees are honey 

 locust, green ash, white elm, hackberry, and, in the North, Austrian 

 pine. Street or road plantings should not be mixed; a single row 

 of trees looks better when it contains but one species. 



[Cir. 99] 



