Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-01-07
SHELTER RELTS-


cisely!
SHELTER BELTS.
With many, the term shelter belt is def
nitely understood to mean one row OF
more of trees planted at given place fol-
the purpose of sheltering from the force
OF the wind tracts of land, residences,
stabling or other objects. Shelter belts,
in our judgment, are even more desirable
than large groves on the plains of western
Kansas, but the World is an enthusiast
tic advocate of both. It has been demon.
strated in numerous localities far removed
from one another that shelter belts sur
rounding lands which are in cultivation
exercise powerful influence in the pro-
lection of growing crops, not only from
the influence of severe winds, but by pre-
venting the ravages of insects. Indeed,
an investigation of the matter shows that
migratory insects penetrate for only a
short distance any section of country
whose farms are protected by shelter
belts.
In this region, where, by common con-
sent, man is to effect changes of an i'm
portant nature in the weather conditions,
it becomes the imperative duty of every
citizen who lays claim to the possession
of brains to employ them in behalf of
this great common cause. In undertak-
ing to carry out, even as small begin
ming, the plan of planting shelter belts,
these two points are worthy of special
consideration: Where to plant the belts
and what class of timber to plant. We
are positive that in any portion of the
United States where the course is not
followed, farms could be rendered more
productive by enclosing each forty-acre
tract with shelter belt. The efficiency
of shelter belts depends on two qualities
the hight of the trees and their
collective compactness. The ends of
economy, in the number of trees to
to be planted and tended and in the
saving OF ground, will be best SUBJ
served by making one, two or, at most,
three rows answer for each line of shelter
belt. We know of only one variety of
deciduous Qeaf shedding) trees which can
berelied upon for this purpose in western
Kansas. We allude to Lombardy poplar.
This can be grown to good-sized trees
at distance of only few inches apart.
Two rows Of them, if properly placed,
make an efficient shelter belt. The wood
is soft, and the life of the tree isonly abont
fifteen years. 1t would, all in all, perhaps
be well to begin the growing OF shelter
belts cut here with this variety of timber.
Any other variety Of deciduous timber
which we think of as being likely to -four
ish here could not be used for shelter
belts without too many rows of trees
being required to produce the desired re-
suit.
But the shelter belt material Of western
Kansas is, after all, to be evergreens.
Experiments will have TO be made to as
csrtain what species and varieties will
s thrive. Success will crown these expert
ments; and enc row Of evergreens will,
for shelter, be worth half 9 dozen rows of
any deciduous trees which can be grown
here. The point to this will force itself
upon the reader. as consisting in the fact
that evergreens carry their leaves through
the winter, while deciduous trees are COM
PEELED In that season to meet the blasts
with only their trunks and branches.
Shelter belts should be provided for by
pur farmers at the very ealiest opportu-
nifty. Lombardy poplar cuttings or seed
lines cost only triae. While these are
made to do pioneer service as shelter
belts, each farmer can, If he will. have
nursery of evergreens in the course Of
preparation for replacing, at his conyen-
fence, the Lombardy poplar belts.