28 DR. WM. SAUXDERS. 



second object in view was to gain information as to the relative growth of trees when 

 planted all of one variety in a block, as compared with mixed clumps, and the third 

 object was to gain information as to whether crops located near these tree belts 

 would be favourably influenced by the shelter they afford. 



Q. Will you come to the results of that ? 



A. Yes, I can give you the result of the growth. 



Q. No, the effect of shelter on the crops ? 



A. We have not noticed effects in this respect in Ottawa, but I can give you 

 instances of benefits resulting from shelter on the branch farm in the North-west. 



Q. Could you give us that in your statement now ? 



A. I shall with pleasure. Two or three years ago we sowed Banner oats at 

 Indian Head on land in two different locations. In one case there was a shelter 

 belt of trees 100 feet wide which at that time had reached a height of 20 feet ; these 

 were within a short distance of the oats. Another plot of the same variety was 

 gown on the same da}' at a considerable distance from this belt. The plot that was 

 sown distant from the belt was exposed to strong winds, which interfered much 

 with successful growth, and the result was that the yield was 56 bushels from the 

 exposed plot, as compared with 102 bushels from the plot which had the advantage 

 of the shelter. 



Q. Were the conditions in every other respect the same ? 



A. The soil was of the same character and quality, and but for the fact that on 

 the exposed plot some of the soil was blown from the roots, the conditions other- 

 wise were apparently the same. 



By the Chairman : 



Q. Was the belt to the west ? 



A. Yes, the belt was to the west. We have also had striking examples of the 

 beneficial effects of tree shelter on that farm on root crops. In the North-west most 

 of the crops depend largely on the proportion of moisture in the ground. The belts 

 of trees collect banks of snow which extend quite a distance. The snow lies there 

 until spring and when melting produces conditions of moisture much more favourable 

 for the early starting of the seeds than where there are no shelter bells, and hence 

 we have had instances where the crops of roots were much larger whore sheltered 

 by tree belts than they were on the more exposed parts of the farm. 



The pleasing effects on the landscape produced by artistic grouping of the trees 

 have not been overlooked ; at the same time the main purpose has been to gain such 

 practical information relating to the growth of the more important timber trees in 

 this climate as would servo as a guide in future timber growing. 



By the Chairman : 



Q. You would not approve of planting belts of trees on the south or east side of 

 the fields? 



A. No ; in this country they seem to be more useful on the west or north side. 



By Mr. Wilson : 



Q. It is not that they would do damage if they were on those sides, but that 

 they are more beneficial, is it not ? 



A. Yes. The prevailing winds come from the north and west, and by breaking 

 the force of these winds the crops are sometimes benefitted. The limbs of trees are 

 marvellously built so as to offer obstacles to the continued course of the currents of 

 air, and are very effective in breaking the force of such currents. 



Q. All I want to know is whether you think it would be better without belts 

 on the south and east than it would be if you had them ? 



A. I don't think there would be any likelihood of injury from a belt on the 

 south side, and it would certainly help your neighbour on the othor side. 



