196 hardener 



barren and bleak lands into fields, by planting screens 

 and by plantations of evergreen trees, are certainly 

 and evidently great, whether considered in the light 

 of affording immediate shelter to the la;nd, or in 

 that ot improving the local climate. 



The fact that it is possible to improve a climate 

 by judicious planting is an established fact ; and our 

 agriculturists of the present day would do well to give 

 attention to this matter, — as cattle thrive better in 

 fields and pastures that are even moderately pro- 

 tected by trees, than in the open fields. In the 

 breeding of fine cattle, a farm well sheltered by 

 plantations and well-kept hedges is especially desira- 

 ble : and I do sometimes wonder that more atten- 

 tion is not paid to this important matter of protec- 

 tion ; and that agriculturists, — and especially those 

 engaged and interested in improved breeds of cattle^ 

 after the liberal outlay in the erection of fine, sub- 

 stantial buildings, — do not pay more attention to 

 this most important subject of shelter planting. 



If we inquire further into the cause why shelter 

 is so beneficial, we shall find that much depends on 

 an early season-and in getting an early rise of grass, 

 I have known pastures to be two weeks in advance 

 in fields well sheltered, and of much better quality 

 than in that of open-fields, where the best and ten- 

 der grass is destroyed by the frosty, cutting winds 

 in early Spring. 



The cattle, also, have it in their power to indulge 

 in the shelter afforded them by the plantation 

 screens and hedges — in cold spring and fall weather, 

 and also in the ever grateful shade and shelter from 

 the scorching rays of a midsummer sun. 



In procuring shelter^ much depends on the mode 

 of planting — evergreens are decidedly the best for 

 the purpose, — but on high and bleak situations it 

 would be well to plant some fast growing deciduous 

 trees for protection to the more tender evergreens 

 while young, but which soon becomes more hardy 

 and valuable in a few years. 



In many situations that are so exposed it is ex- 

 tremely difficult to rear evergreen trees without 

 some mode of procuring shelter for them during 

 their early growth : and this is not to be wondered 

 at, when we take into consideration the care and at- 

 tention they receive in the nurseries while young, 

 and where they ^ire protected and sheltered by each 

 other, — and transplanted to an open, bleak field, — 

 which is often the case, where the wind and storms 

 have full play on them. In such situations thick 

 planting — and planting the more hardy deciduous 

 and rapid growing species, to nurse and protect the 

 tender and more beautiful kinds should be resorted 

 to, it being understood, of course, that those acting 







■'s <PonthIa. 



nurses should be gradually cut away as the valuable 

 ones have established themselves. 



The common practice in planting is to mix differ- 

 ent species of trees together, which, under the sj^s- 

 tem just recommended, is unavoidable, — that is, 

 where nurse or shelter plants are required. In 

 many cases opinion seems divided on the subject, 

 although the mixing of different kinds is generally 

 most approved of; and, with but few exceptions, I 

 think the effect by mixture the most beautiful. 



Another important subject connected with the 

 management of evergreens, is that they require and 

 thrive best in a moist climate. This is especially 

 noticeable in the fact that, on the north side of the 

 hills and along the margins of rivers, the evergreen 

 trees most abound ; and, although the soil may be 

 of a barren and rocky nature, their favorite climate 

 of shade and moisture more than compensates for 

 the want of soil, and there they luxuriate in all their 

 natural beauty. 



So well is this fact known, that on the shady side 

 of buildings, plantations, and similar positions, the 

 tender kinds are generally planted, and escape in- 

 jury : while on a southern aspect they would most 

 likely be killed outright ; thus proving that shade 

 is one of the requisites necessary to the successful 

 management of evergreens. 



It is my opinion that a great many of the most 

 beautiful evergreens that are thought to be too del- 

 icate and tender for cultivation, may be successfully 

 treated by a careful study cf their requirements, — 

 in regard to shade atid moisture. Now by planting 

 a portion of deciduous trees with the evergreens, we 

 not only protect them from cold, cutting winds in 

 winter, but, what is of more importance, provide 

 them with shade in summer ; and with the shade 

 comes moisture, — or, rather, the shade prevents 

 evaporation, — and thus, in some measure, secures 

 that moist and genial clinjate so essential to the 

 health and vigor of the most beautiful and useful 

 evergreens. 



Instances of the truth of this have frequently come 

 under my notice, and especially this season. I have 

 seen the Hemlock and the American lioUy^ where 

 exposed to the sun, almost killed ; but in the shade 

 is still beautiful and green ; therefore we may as- 

 sume that by adopting the mixed system of plant' 

 ing we are only following Nature's own wise pre- 

 cautions, and the admirable laws she has laid down 

 for our guidance. 



This brings us to consider the effect planting has 

 on the climate. The advantages in point of climate 

 which entire tracts of land derive from extensive 

 woods and plantations, are many and surprising. 



