102 Forests and Trees 



requires no pruning. The lower branches help to cover 

 the ground and in that way keep it moist, so that culti- 

 vation ceases to be necessary. The trees should also be 

 close together, not more than five feet apart each way. 

 Crowding shades them toward the base and makes them 

 grow upward for light. This gives length of trunk, which is 

 desirable for some of the purposes for which plantations 

 are grown. The lower branches soon cover the ground 

 when the trees are close together, and these remain until 

 the crowns provide cover, when they die off for lack of 

 light. This self-pruning provides for clearing the trunks 

 of the lower branches and produces the long, clear, cylindri- 

 cal trunk so characteristic of the forest tree. In short, the 

 plantation is but a miniature forest grown in a convenient 

 place for the use of a single family. 



The value to be derived from a tree plantation on a 

 prairie is easily seen. We all know how the wind 

 sweeps over the Canadian prairies. In winter its force 

 is increased by the driving snow which travels along the 

 surface, and, even on days of apparent calm, is constantly 

 filling tracks or blotting out landmarks. To check the 

 sweep of this wind and to afford a shelter in which the 

 farm buildings may be located is the first value of a planta- 

 tion and by no means its least. It also affords protection 

 for gardens or pastures which it may be desirable to shield, 

 and at times may protect the grain crops from summer 

 storms. Besides, a grove sufficient for shelter will also 

 furnish considerable valuable material. The natural growth 

 will supply fuel for the farm home, material for fence 



