WINDBREAKS, SHELTERS, ETC. 7Q 



knife, because as new trees appear, some of the old 

 ones are sure of continually dying. I have already 

 suggested the danger from wild cherry trees, that 

 they will become breeders of tent and other cater- 

 pillars, yet they are very beautiful in close rows. 



A protective wall of crab apple trees is one of the 

 easiest to be made and one of the most useful. These 

 trees, however, should not be set closer than fifteen 

 feet. Let them branch out six or eight feet in each 

 direction, and let the branches start about five or six 

 feet from the ground. After the first crop of apples 

 these branches will droop to the sod. Remember 

 that such a row of trees must have room. It must 

 not be used as a close hedge, for then its beauty as 

 well as its utility will be sacrificed. If you know of 

 anything more beautiful than a Martha or Hyslop 

 crab in full bloom, it must be the same tree in full 

 fruit. A row of these trees standing twenty feet 

 high, and touching the ground with their branches, 

 will delight the dullest eye. The value of the fruit 

 is at the same time considerable for home use, or 

 market. The demand for the best varieties of 

 crab apples is on the increase. Prices range about 

 with the prices of dessert apples in the autumn 

 months. 



No one can fail to get excellent hints from the 

 way nature creates her windbreaks wherever she is 

 permitted an opportunity. Watch how rapidly along 

 every line of old fence these appear. The farmer 

 can do no better than to let them grow. Oaks, ashes, 

 elms, chestnuts, will thus stand close, or in groups, 

 while underneath crowd elders, haws and hazels. 

 Wild grapevines climb through and interlace the 



