26 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



lower branches. Such an arrangement may do very well 

 for a time, or where only partial checking of the wind's 

 force is desired. But where more complete shelter is 

 desired, it is usually necessary to plant several rows of 

 different species, so arranged that the low, dense-growing 

 kinds will fill in the places between the taller ones. 



For the taller-growing tree in this region the common 

 cottonwood may be used, setting the trees about eight feet 

 apart for the outer or north and west rows. A second row 

 of some denser-growing kind should be planted about eight 

 feet from the first and as close as four feet in the row. For 

 this purpose box-elder is a suitable tree, except in dry 

 situations, in which case the green ash is recommended. 

 The trees in the third row may be planted as in the second 

 row, using a more compact-growing kind. The Russian 

 golden willow is recommended for this purpose as a rapid 

 grower. The Russian olive (Elceagnus) is a more compact 

 tree of lower growth and is particularly desirable. White 

 or American elm is also a suitable tree for the inner rows 

 in many places, particularly where a fair amount of mois- 

 ture can be depended on. 



In cases where the wind is exceptionally strong, it may 

 be necessary to plant a belt four or five rods wide, in order 

 to secure complete protection. The outer two rows may 

 consist of Russian olive, the third and fourth rows of black 

 locust, the fifth and sixth of box-elder or ash, the seventh 

 and eighth of American elm, and the inner two or three 

 rows of cottonwood or Carolina poplar, the rows being 

 about eight feet apart. The Russian golden willow may 

 be used in place of the elm, and honey locust may take the 

 place of the black locust. 



