The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-10-22
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

1TePSre tho Ground Tor Your Groves.
The Iowa Homestead has these re-
marks, which may be applicable to
other localities as we'll:
Every year we hear farmers wishing
Tor more southerly climate, where the
winters would be shorter and the cold
less severe. They do not seem to re-
fleet that hundred miles south means
damper atmosphere, and cold, by
reason OF the dampness, practically as
severe both on man and beast. But it
is in the power of any farmer to have
the temperature of one hundred miles
south, without its dampness, by sur
rounding his buildings with a dense
grove of trees. We are amazed at our
own folly and blindness in not seeing
this years ago.
we had groves, of course, but they
looked to the protection of the house
and ornament rather than utility. 1t
was only the experience of the absolute
waste OF feed in fighting zero and biz
yards that brought us to see the neces-
sity OF protection to the dumb beasts
who could not plead their own cause.
We mention this because farmers who
wish to plant groves next spring should
prepare the ground this fall. They
should plow for broad belts, should
make selection of their varieties.
should find out where they could be
had at best advantage, aud thus get
ready for the important work of plant
ing in the spring.
Plant anything rather than nothing.
Soft maple and cottonwood beat moth
ing long way, but we would not ad-
wise bothering with them. Several
distinct objects may be ia view. One
is protection from storms, another orna-
ment, still another the future value of
timber for posts, ties, or lumber.
For temporary protection to feed
lots in the shape of a wind-break we
know of nothing better than Russian
mulberry. 1t is hardy, and grows rap
idly and close.
For permanent wind-break there is
nothing like the evergreens. Ameri-
can or white pine is grand. but will not
endure the tramping of stock. Scotch
pine will, but is more struggling in its
growth.
A Russian mulberry hedge, with an
evergreen belt north of it and TWENTY
feet at least distant, the mulberry to be
cut away when not needed, will pro-
tect any stock yard and repay the ex-
pense many fold.
In any selection of trees for orna-
mcnt or forest planting, the white ash
should not be forgotten. 1t is hardy.
easily cultivated, and beautiful. We
are so far greatly pleased with the cat
| alpa. We cannot pass any OF our
groves without stopping to admire, and
notice travellers all turn their heads to
that side of the road.
They will grow on the slightest nro-
vocation. Planted in rows, five feet
apart, they will in two years shade the
ground completely and smother out
weeds in three.
AS to their value for posts, we can
only rely on what others tell us, with
an uncertain allowance to be made
against any timber growing on prairie
soil.
The poplars and willows brought from
Russia by Prof. Budd are full of prom.
Use. They grow as easily as catalpas,
and grow readily from cuttings. The
!aurel-leavcd willow (salix laurifolia)
is the most beautiful of all willows, and
should have place on every lawn and
in every grove.
But by all means plant groves if you
would give comfort to your family,
beauty to your landscape, value to your
farm, thrift TO your stock, and dollars
to your bank account.
A grove of valuable trees is a monu.
ment to your memory more durable
than marble.