9 



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 FOB PROTECTION TO FARMSTEADS. 



In this region protection is required on the south, west, and north 

 sides of buildings. The number and kinds of trees planted largely 

 determine the effectiveness 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 pro- 

 tection when most needed. Deciduous 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 planting may be done for protective and wood- 

 lot 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 realizing 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. 



THE MARKET. 



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 substitutes for 

 wooden posts, but as yet unsuccessfully. The chances are that all 

 classes of posts, lumber, and fuel will continually increase in price. 



COST OF PRODUCTION. 



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. Wherever there 



is soil too rough, too hilly, too sandy, or too wet for agricultural 



28201 Cir. 14508 2 



