56 PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN FORESTRY. 



injury to them. Some planters sow oats among the young 

 trees for protection when cultivation ceases, but if field 

 mice are abundant it may be best not to do so. Late in 

 autumn of the first year or two after planting some soil 

 should be turned towards the trees with a plough to pro- 

 tect them. 



Thinning. In growing prairie groves, we should always 

 aim to have the tops of the trees just touch one another 

 without serious crowding, but still have the soil shaded and 

 protected from wind. In order to bring this about, the 

 grove must be thinned occasionally, for although the trees 

 would thin themselves if left alone, it would be at the 

 expense of growth and perhaps cause serious injury. Trees 

 that are crowded together may suffer more from drought 

 than those that have plenty of room for their roots. This 

 is especially true of tender trees on dry land. If the trees 

 begin to crowd one another, the poorest should be re- 

 moved, but this should be done carefully and never to such 

 an extent as to let in much sunlight, which would en- 

 courage the growth of grass, weeds, and side branches. 

 Thinning may be done at any time, but if the wood taken 

 out is to be used for fence-posts or poles, it would be better 

 to cut in winter and peel at once to aid it in curing. 



The Blowing Out of Small Seedlings planted in prairie 

 soil is not uncommon where they are in very exposed situa- 

 tions. The movement of the young seedlings by the wind 

 keeps the soil loose around them, which the severe winds 

 blow away. Occasionally by such means the roots may 

 be left three or four inches out of the ground the first season. 

 In such very severe locations it is often a good plan to 

 mulch the soil with straw or similar material until the 

 seedlings are well established, after which they may be 

 cultivated, or the mulching process may be continued until 

 they will take care of themselves. 



The Proper Location of the Buildings on a Farm is a 

 very important matter and seldom receives the attention 



