CROPS THAT MAY BE GROWN IN DRY AREAS 211 



ward side, which is the proper place for planting them. 

 It is doubtful if any tree will render greater service in 

 furnishing a windbreak than the white or gray willow, 

 but doubtless various other sorts may be used. The 

 need for such windbreaks is very great, hence the farmer 

 should try and make ready to plant a windbreak as 

 soon as he begins work on his farm. 



The extent to which forest trees will be, or should 

 be, grown in the semi-arid country will depend much on 

 the precipitation. That some of these may be grown suc- 

 cessfully under very dry conditions is evidenced in the 

 fact that nature has grown them unaided, as evidenced 

 in the growth of such species as the yellow pine and the 

 red cedar where the rainfall is very light. The same is 

 true of the juniper. It would not seem probable, judg- 

 ing by the indications at the present time, that forest 

 trees would be grown for lumber to any considerable ex- 

 tent on the benches of the semi-arid country, but of 

 course what the future may bring forth cannot now be 

 safely forecasted. Should groves be planted, however, 

 the aim should be to start them inside of a windbreak. 



As time goes on, the need for posts to aid in fenc- 

 ing the land will be felt. The wise farmer will set 

 about providing for it at an early date. Where the 

 mountains are not distant, a source of supply will be 

 always accessible. Under other conditions, fence posts 

 may be grown. Among the trees that are found suitable 

 are the willow, the catalpa and the locust. The willow 

 has highest adaptation for the Great Plains country, the 

 catalpa for the middle regions of the semi-arid belt, and 

 the locust for those central and south. All these will 

 grow more slowly than in humid climates. 



Cultivated crops that may be grown. The discus- 

 sion will include the following classes of crops that may 

 be cultivated with more or less profit in dry areas: (1) 

 cereals; (2) fodder crops; (3) legumes, and (4) various 



