46 



Farmers' Bulletin 1087. 



a protection, either dissipating what might otherwise be a lightning 

 stroke or receiving the stroke instead of the building. 



If w T ell planned, this partial screening of the building can be 

 largely accomplished by trees that are at the same time serving some 

 other useful purpose in connection with the farmstead, such as giving 

 shade in stockyards, pastures, or work yards. The windbreak or 

 orchard may likewise serve a double purpose. In this planting it is 

 not necessary to hide the buildings entirely ; the aim is to make them 

 less obtrusive by partially concealing them in foliage. The barns, 

 like the house, should not be surrounded too closely by shade. This 

 fault, however, is seldom found about farm buildings. 



FIG. 51. Evergreens add to the attractiveness of a home in winter. 



It is often desirable to screen certain objects from view. (See 

 fig. 30.) Tall plants are sometimes necessary for this purpose, and 

 trees are the logical plants to use. Usually it is best to plant them 

 as for a windbreak (fig. 50), although there are conditions when 

 they may be planted as a grove to equal advantage. Such plant- 

 ings are most effective when located near the object to be hidden, 

 although there are times when a tree or two near the point of ob- 

 servation must accomplish the purpose. 



The way these results are to be attained are among the important 

 details of the preparation of the farmstead plan, and these matters 

 must be considered in connection with the other details. In carrying 

 out the plan one caution needs to be observed ; that is, not to plant too 

 many trees nor to have them too close together. When planted, the 



