284 PROTECTION AGAINST DRIFTING SNOWS. 



Had it been practicable to plant each piece of ground with younger trees the cost 

 ■would have been much less, but the eifect would not have been immediate, nor the 

 result so couclusive ; and we may now safely affirm, that there is no locality where it 

 is not possible to prevent tbe drifting of snows along the roads by means of planta-- 

 tious of trees properly placed, and at a cost seldom exceeding 20 francs per meter, linear 

 measure. 



If, however, it was necessary to protect a greater length of road, it would be profit- 

 able to proceed more economically, by planting younger trees, that is to say, pines and 

 larches at two, and firs and spruces at three years of age. The eflfect would be felt some 

 years later, but the success would not be less certain, and in this case the relative cost of 

 planting would not exceed 150 francs the hectare (GO francs per acre), divided as fol- 

 lows: 10,000 trees at C.Ol per hectare, 100 francs ; planting at 0^.005 eacb, r>0 francs. 



To this we must add the price of the land, which would vary according to the 

 locality. 



Success in such labors will depend chiefly upon the choice of resinous species of trees 

 that it may be convenient to plant at the given place, and upon the care bestowed upon 

 the setting of the young trees. From this it may not be improper to enter somewhat 

 into details. 



The resinous trees especially thrive upon high, bleak, and rugged mountains; the 

 Pinus sylrestris, upon soils of every kind ; ihe larico pine, on exposed slopes, faeingthe 

 west and south ; the maritime pine, on the sands and alluvial soils of low grounds ; and 

 the Weymouth pine, on deep, loose soil, and with an exposure toward the southwest. 

 The lirs thrive upon the highest mountains, in a deep, fresh soil, and on slopes ex- 

 posed to the north and west. The spruce is very easy to plant, as i'^s multiplied and 

 fibrous roots facilitate its hold from the height of 6 inches to 10 feet. The larch should 

 be planted in ground loosely broken and of sufficient depth, at a distance from trees of 

 different kind, and with a southern aspect. As for the cedars, few grounds agree with 

 them, and an eastern exposure sheltered from the north should be preferred ; as also 

 a deep soil, rather dry than otherwise. They are difficult to make live ; and regard 

 should be had to the nature of their roots, which are long, brittle, and but little 

 branched. 



The method of planting would vary according to the size of the trees. When the 

 height exceeds 20 inches, the holes should be a foot square and 15 inches deep; the 

 soil taken out should be thrown one side by itself, the tree with its ball of earth placed 

 and surrounded up to the crown of the root with mellow soil finely broken, and the 

 turf taken from each hole returned to its place at the foot of the tree ; so that it may 

 maintain a certain freshness around the roots. If sods are wanting, we may use flat 

 stones for this purpose, which answer the same end. 



Trees from 3 to 5 years old may be planted quite economically by two good laborers 

 working together; one making the hole with a square pointed pick and deepening it 

 with a pointed one, while the other at once plants the tree while the soil is still damp. 

 The trees should be carried in a covered pannier, and kept from the action of the sun 

 and air. The workman who does the planting carries a short-handled spade, with 

 which he empties the hole. He then places the tree, spreading the roots in every 

 direction, and taking the greatest care that none of them are broken off. They are 

 then covered with fresh, mellow soil, and the operation is finished by carefully press- 

 ing the soil against the tree with the foot, or the handle of the pick. Two skillful 

 workmen will plant from 500 to 1,000 trees in a day. Resinous trees should, from 

 their nature, be planted not more than a meter apart, so as to mutually protect one 

 another; and it will be easy to take out the smaller ones to facilitate the growth of 

 the larger. 



In conclusion, the planting of evergreen trees, with an intelligent understanding 

 of condition and requirements, will prevent the drifting of snows, and the large ex- 

 penses necessary for keeping the roads open for travel during the winter season. We 

 cannot donbt of success, if we choose the kinds of trees most suitable for the soil, aspect, 

 and exposure in which they will be placed. The experience gained within the last 

 few years along the imperial road No. 82, with points of elevation ranging from 900 

 to 1,200 meters (2,952 to 3,67G feet) above sea-level, leaves no chance for doubt in this 

 regard, and gave, the very first year, the most satisfactory results. 



It follows from this, that plantations of trees would be equally useful along rail- 

 roads, replacing the movable screens that are placed in winter along deep cuts and 

 in places particularly exposed to the drifting of snows. 



SANITARY BENEFITS RESULTING FROM TREE PLANTING. 



A circunistauce has been noticed at Palo, a railroad station between 

 Civita-Vecchia and Rome, which tends to show theeflect of forests upon 

 the public health. For many years a piece of woods had stood between 



