128 



room. Has about twice loo many trees in it, which will give him every second tree 

 to take up and replant. Believes that if a number of farmers would plant rows the 

 benefit would be very great. Has a row of pine about 30 feet high. The benefit 

 from these would extend nearly across a square ten-acre field. Finds the second 

 week in June a very good time to plant evergreens. A young spruce brought by 

 him from New Brunswick (native there) seems of a better foliage than either the 

 Norway or Canadian. Considers that shelter from the south-west side is also often 

 serviceable, especially in preserving apples from the strong fall winds which are apt 

 to blow them down. 



JMr. Jame« has two fields protected on the north and east by a second growth of 

 young pines, about 35 or 40 feet high. These two field have had excellent crops of 

 fall wheat twice in succession, while the wheat over all the rest of the farm haa not 

 been nearly so good, and this notwithstanding that these two fields have never been 

 drained, while the rest is well under-drained. Mr. James considers that, though 

 draining is undoubtedly good, yet shelter from trees is better for fall wheat. Even 

 right over the under-drains the wheat often failed, but succeeded, with the exception 

 of very small patches, where the bush gave shelter. Mr. James has also a long stretch 

 of young pine wind-break in front of his farm. He finds no injury whatever from 

 the pines near the crops. Would prefer spruce, as it spreads its branches near the 

 ground, and thus gives more shelter than pine, which have their branches some 

 height up. 



Old Millee Homestead. — Here is one of the finest wind-breaks in Ontario, a 

 double row of pines planted thirty-five j^ears ago, 40 feet high, and three rows of 

 spruce, all 10 feet apart (the pines to the outside), planted twenty-three years, and 

 now taller than the pine. This surrounds an orchard of about two acres. The 

 clover in the orchard is a heavy crop and grows as thick close up to the trees as 

 elsewhere. The fields to the north and west show no injury whatever from shade, 

 the grass growing as well close up. Mr. Miller, a son of the 'late proprietor, says : 

 It is of the greatest possible service to the farm. Mr. Miller has planted wind-breaks 

 at his own farm a mile off, and would not be without them for thousands of dollars. 

 "Would pay that difference if buying a farm. When he went on his place could not 

 grow anything with ease for the wind, which blew his young jose trees to pieces. 

 Has it now well sheltered. Grave the statement that all fall wheat near not sheltered 

 largely failed. Where sheltered on any sid« it was a good crop. Melds near here, 

 not sheltered, of ten acres, lost four out of the ten. Would not object to anyone 

 planting a wind-break south of his land ; considers the benefit of checking the force 

 of the wind much gi'eater than the trifling loss by shade. Would be glad to see 

 farmers induced to plant long lines of trees ; if done generally, it would be the best 

 thing possible for the country. 



Mr. Miller (a namesake) has planted a fine row of pines round his grounds 

 and found them of the greatest possible benefit. These were planted the first new 

 moon in June, which was considered the best time. Cedar he finds succeed well and 

 grows large making fine wind-breaks. He is planting a field, three acres, with maples 

 as a grove. He will fill some of the field, being low, with soft maple and cedar. Agri- 

 culture will be almost impossible here unless more trees are planted to check the 

 wind. Believes from his experience that if much of the land were in trees the rest 

 would grow more than now, when it is mostly cleared. Has planted a great deal on 

 his place. 



There is another method of getting these young seedlings than growing them 

 in Ontario, as all know — that is, of importing them from foreign growers. As my 

 hearers may wish to know the facilities for doing this at the price charged, I will 

 furnish them with a copy of a letter from Mr. Miller, owner of the chief evergreen 

 wind-break mentioned in these pages as existing in Markham, as to the firms from 

 which he procured the seedlings, and the cost : — 



" Markham, 3rd August, 1887. 

 " Dear Sir, — In reference to the apruce, I imported the trees fi-om little & 

 Ballantyne, Carlisle, England. They were twice transplanted, and from twelve to 



