56 



PLANTS FOR PROTECTION. 



CONDUCTED BT JOSEPH FROST. 



FIAirrS FOB :FSOT£CTIOir. 



BoT little attention is given to the protection of 

 our fields, buildings, orchards, &c., from our prevail- 

 ing winds. Indeed, it scarcely enters one's thoughts 

 that our crops, our orchards of apple, pear, cherry, 

 &c., need the protection which is conceded should be 

 given horses, cattle and sheep. 



It seems that quite opposite views are entertained 

 by the public. Nature had given us her natural pro- 

 tection, the woods and forests, but our forefathers 

 did not think it wise to allow skirts and belts of trees 

 to stand, thus ensuring a greater regularity of crops, 

 and at the same time, rendering our landscape inter- 

 esting and beautiful, but the pervading furor has 

 been " down with our forests." No one could with- 

 stand the overwhelming popular opinion, no more 

 than stem tJie current when the mandate " down with 

 the alianthus " went forth from the pen of the lament- 

 ed DOWNINO. 



Our climate has [become visibly changed within 

 the past twenty years, and is becoming more and 

 more marked in proportion to the diminution of our 

 forests. This affects our crops to such an extent 

 that a good yield of wheat, com, or oats, for years in 

 succession, is unknown at the present day; formerly, 

 farmers are well aware, a remunerating product could 

 be relied upon, almost to a certainty. Nothing, 

 however, feels these adverse influences of climate to 

 so great an extent as fruits. It is a noted fact that 

 all kinds of fruits thrive finely within cities where 

 proper care can be given them, and even produce 

 abundantly under very unfavorable influences. The 

 ripening of the different varieties, too, is from ten 

 days to two weeks earlier; because they are protect- 

 ed by the walls of the buildings from cold winds, and 

 the temperature is thereby equalized. The orchard- 

 ist and farmer, however, make their complaints, and 

 present them something in this wise: "My trees will 

 not have any fruit on them this season; in fact, I do 

 not expect to get a crop much oftener than once in 

 three years, now. I can well remember when every 

 summer would find my trees completely laden with 

 fruit; but now it is changed; neither do I think that 

 it is as fair." They could, however, inform you that 

 the changes in our climate are much more frequent 

 and severe. But it did not at once occur to their 

 minds that this was one of the principal causes. If 



it had, they might assign it as one of the dispensa- 

 tions of Providence, and utterly useless to try to ef- 

 fect a cure. 



As a preventive, we would advise in all wooded 

 countries that a sufficient amount of young under- 

 wood be allowed to stand at intervals in the most 

 exposed situations, and wUhin a very few years a per- 

 fect barrier would be formed, thus effectually pro- 

 tecting one's farm; and in many instances the selec- 

 tion might be so judiciously made as to protect ex- 

 tensive tracts of land. 



Where land is now cleared, the only remedy is to 

 plant Deciduous trees (those which drop their 

 leaves annually) of rapid growth, have been recom- 

 mended, but they do not afford much protection only 

 during summer, when in full foliage. In the autumn 

 and through winter and spring, when protection is 

 most needed, these trees with their naked limbs and 

 trunks can not be expected to be as effectual as ever- 

 green trees, whose foliage remains on during winter. 



The two best varieties of evergreens for this ob- 

 ject, are the American Arbor Vita (White Cedar,) 

 which is quite common in many parts of our coun- 

 try, and is generally found growing in low swampy 

 places, and the JVoncay Spruce Fjr, a variety of 

 evergreen imported from Em'ope, or grown from im- 

 ported seed. The JVorway Spnice grOWS veiy rap- 

 idly, making from two to three feet growth in each 

 season, as soon as the plants become established; when 

 planted in good soil, and under proper care, will fre- 

 quently exceed this. The tree is very erect, of pyra- 

 midal shape, and will attain in height upwards of one 

 hundred feet. It is extremely hardy, enduring the 

 lo^vest degreei of temperature without being injured 

 in the least. It bears pruning well at almost any 

 season. Its roots are composed of the finest fibres, 

 whicn allows it to be transplanted very easily without 

 endangering life. This plant would be just what is 

 required at the West for hedges to break off the 

 winds which prevail so much upon the extensive 

 prairies; and we have no hesitation in saying that it 

 would accomplish its object most effectually. 



These plants, of small size, can be obtained of most 

 nurserymen at a low price, say from $25 to $100 per 

 1,000, according to quality and size. 



The proper distance to set them would be about 

 twelve to fifteen feet apart, according to the quality 

 of the soil. 



The ffhite Cedar compares favorably with the 

 preceding in every respect, but does not grow as 

 strongly nor as upright; but its habit is more spread- 

 ing and dense. The price of this is generally lower 



