8 SEASIDE TREES AND SHRUBS 



are so harmful to vegetation ; water would be 

 conserved to the soil by condensation from the 

 atmosphere, to be utilised by growing crops, and 

 a more equable climate would be obtained. 



The importance of shelter afforded by trees 

 and thick hedges in quantity to farm and garden 

 crops cannot be too highly estimated. The 

 productive capacity of the soil is increased ; 

 growth is quickened, in spring giving earlier and 

 heavier supplies ; the harvest is hastened, and the 

 cold, icy winds which are so disastrous to fruit 

 and other crops are broken up. 



As AFFORDING SHELTER TO MAN AND BEAST 



Any one crossing an open and exposed tract 

 of country on a cold, wintry, windy day, and 

 coming at once to some sort of shelter, as that 

 afforded by a plantation, a belt of trees, or even 

 a thick, high hedge, at once experiences great 

 relief; the atmosphere appears several degrees 

 warmer, and it nerves and braces him up when 

 once again he has occasion to face the elements. 

 This is given as an illustration demonstrating 

 the advantages of good shelter-conditions to man, 

 as compared with those of extreme exposure. 



Belts of trees on exposed sides of dwellings 

 and homesteads, from the shelter they afford, 

 add greatly to the health and comfort of the 

 residents. 



