376 DRY LAND FARMING 



In dry areas, trees and fruits should be planted out 

 in the spring. They may live though planted in the 

 autumn, but in such areas the winter is a more critical 

 season for trees than the summer, hence they should be 

 given the benefit of the most favorable season in which 

 to make a start. The aim should be, except in the case of 

 some evergreens, to plant as early in the season as 

 the ground can be worked in good condition. 



The aim should be to secure the trees and fruits 

 from nurseries where the trees and fruits have been 

 grown under climatic conditions not differing greatly 

 from those that prevail where they are to be planted. 

 This is greatly important, as if brought from a milder 

 climate they will not be possessed of sufficient hardihood 

 to produce the best results. 



Planting and caring for trees. Windbreaks may be 

 planted by opening a straight furrow where the willow- 

 cuttings are to go. In this furrow they are placed about 

 3 feet apart, taking care to start them at something of 

 an angle, the tops all leaning in the same direction and 

 along the line of the furrow. The cuttings should be 

 fresh and not more than, say, 12 inches long, and about 

 the thickness of the finger. About 2 inches should pro- 

 ject above the surface after the earth has been firmly 

 filled in around the cuttings. 



Evergreen windbreaks involve more labor and out- 

 lay. The trees should be purchased when young. The 

 nurseryman should pack them with much care. As 

 soon as unpacked for planting, the roots should be kept 

 submerged in what may be termed a solution of soft 

 mud until each is to be taken for planting. The ground 

 is first marked off where the trees are to be set. When 

 marking it the continuity of the squares should be bro- 

 ken in each alternate row, which will make a more per- 

 fect windbreak, but it will confine the cultivation to but 

 one direction. They should have 8 feet between the 



