FOREST PROBLEMS. 159 
Answer: He will probably come nearest to accomplishing 
this if he makes a solid planting of White Willow, as recom- 
mended on page 130. 
12. C. has a farm on rolling prairie. It is all under cultiva- 
tion or used for pasture. He feels the necessity of having a 
home supply of fence posts and light fuel. Thinks of putting his 
wood lot on the rich bottom land. The soil is a sandy drift, 
some ridges being more sandy than others, and in a few places 
are bare from washing. 
Answer: Since the bottom land resists drouth better than the 
high land, it would be better to keep it for agricultural purposes, 
and to place the trees on the ridges, where the soil is too bare 
to yield a return from agriculture. He could probably plant 
White Willow in these locations to good advantage, and get 
what he needs in fence posts and a considerable amount of sum- 
mer fuel. It is probable that on such land there would be a 
yield of about three cords per acre of fuel wood per year, much 
of which material could be used for posts. These trees should 
be cultivated until they cover the land well. They should begin 
to yield some fuel within six years from the time cuttings are 
planted, if they are set two feet apart in rows eight feet apart. 
13. A farmer living on the open prairie in the southwestern 
part of Minnesota wants a windbreak and wood lot; more par- 
ticularly desires a windbreak for buildings and a shelter for 
stock. Does not think of raising firewood or his own fence 
posts. Can a windbreak be worked to advantage as a wood lot 
in such a case? 
Answer: Under such conditions the windbreak should be 
made somewhat wider than recommended on page 50, so as to 
include as much area as to give the wood desired. In cutting 
under such conditions it would be desirable to cut not more than 
one-half of any portion of the windbreak at one time, so that its 
value as a windbreak would not be impaired at any time. Work- 
ing in such a way would require a rotation period of about ten 
years. It would probably be best to plant this largely with 
White Willow, but if the soil is heavy or somewhat inclined to 
be moist it would be a good plan to put in some Soft Maple and 
Boxelder. 
