Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1875-02-18
Shade Trees.

Shade Trees.
We regard the following, from the n.
Y. Sun, as both sensible and timely. We
wish to say, however, that while there is
no doubt as to the Importance Of planting
shade trees, it is very important also not
to overlook the necessity of a we'll dedn-
ed plan or systein-onc which will not
carica,urc nature, and cause regret to the
observer:
Farmers hold various and widely diff:
ferent opinions in regard to the value of
shade trees upon the farm. Much, how
ever, depends upon mans early life, as
sociations, and education, all Of which
have their influence in forming taste
and love for the beautiful in nature or
otherwise. Some men can neither see
nor admire anything except from a utili~
tartan point Of view, and this perhaps in
its host circumscriDcd aspect; Il tree to
them being worth only what it will fetch
for tim Der or tirewood. These utiliaTisn
notions are far too common in all new
countries covered with heavy timber, and
the habit which is first formed through
necessity b,c>n,s 81 I'D and uniycr-
Sal that barrenncss of landscape frequent
ly follows, where an opposite result nigh
have been secured without cost to the
origina! owners Of the land. The first
generation Of farmers destroyed that
which the next two or three restore only
in part, and at great expense Of time and
money. But as these are by gone follies
in the old States. we have only to take
care Of what is left Of the old landmarks,
and put ont new trees whenever they are
likely to be valuable or useful and in do
ing so the subject of shade trees upon the
farm should be considered rs carefully as
their value as timber, or for their frui,
which they may produce.
The contrast between two regions of
country, the one with trees judiciously
distributed, and the other without them,
is sufficient in itself to make any man fa-
vor the former. The generally attractive
appearance of a country is certainly one
OF its strong points, and mankind cling
to things Of beauty quite as tenaciously
as to those Of strict IL etulness and intrii,-
sic value. Nomadic races seldom inhal,-
it hilly, mountainous, or wooded coun-
tries, for these tend directly toa fixedness
of purpose, and love of one spot which
we term home. \ rock, hill or tree is al.
object which clings to the memory Of
both civilized and uncivilized man. This
idea may seem somewhat sentimental,
but it cannot be denied that 1t is very po-
tent in lis influence upon nations as we'll
as scommunitics.
T;:EjcSs ABOUT EARN BUILDINGS.
A goodly number Of shade trees about
the farm buildings add much to the gen
crsl appearance ct the place, US also to
the comfort of man and beast during the
hot days Of summer. But many make
the mistake of planting too many large
growing trees near their dwellings which
in time exclude both light and air, and
cause the building standing constantly in
| the shade, to become unhealthy. In cold
climates dcciduous trees should always
be preferred to evergreens, when planted
in positions likely to shade the llousr, be.
cause it is only in hot weather that shade
is desirable, and in winter all the light
and solar heat to be. obtained are rcQuir.
| ed for both comfort and health. AS a
rule, we wauld say, keep all trees Of a
larger growth at least one hundred feet
from dwelling house, using the inter.
vening space as lawn, in which may be
planted small growing trees and shrubs
Evergreen trees should be employed ex
clusivelv for ornamentation, or as wind
breaks, but never for shade.
TR Es IN PASTURES,
1t has been frequently urged that trees
in pastures encourage laziness in ami
mails, for when such comfortable retreats
from the hot sun in summer are at hand
they are likely to tarry too long at these
resting places While it is true that an
NAL instinct may not be any surer pre-
ventatlve against indiscrcssions in the
dumb brute than in man, still, we believe
that in all ruminants digestion proceeds
more regularly when the animal is com
forably at rest, than when subjected tt
opposite conditions. Animals appear te
oe disposed to seek the cool shade Of
tree when the heat is oppressive, and i
is cruel, to say the least, to deprive then
Of this comfort. We have always notic
ed that animals having a comfortabl.
resting place during the hottest part O
the day would feed later at night as wei
as commence earlier in the morning Col
scQucntly, we fail to SEE wherein shade
trees in a pasture are detrimental to goot
health or the fattcning Of animals, as il
sometimes asserted. There are ccrtainl,
two sides to this question, but the more
humane practice would be to provid,
SHADE, to say nothing Of appearances.
TREES ON THE ROADSIDE.
Continuous rows of stately trees alon!
the roadside ndd much to the appearance,
Of a farm or country. But it is urge<
that shaded roads remain wet and mud
> dy much longer after heavy rains tha,
those fully exposed to the sun. This i
!; doubtless true, but as an offset we ma,
claim that they are less liable to becom
J dusty, and between tue two evils there i
f not much choice. Deciduous trees onI,
t should be planted along roadsidcs in Col,
climates, because they afford shade dc
/ ring the season when most needed if a
,, all. Roadside trees may interfere witt
t the growth of crops in the fields adjoin
ing BY shading as we'll as BY the absorl
J, tion Of moisture by their roots, but as "