The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-01-27
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WIND=BREAKS.
BY e. G. Cheyney, Division Of
Forestry, Minnesota Univer-
sity Farm.

4" \ + 4" = + 4" + 4 4 + + \ i 4
The wind-break on the farm is very
often praised or condemned according
to the personal whims of the speakers
without much reference to the facts
Like most things, such breaks have
their advantages and disadvantages
which should he carefully balanced up
in each particular case before the wind
break is established. For the break
which would be great benefit fol-
some particular purpose might be as
great hindrance in another.
The advantages of wind-breaks may
be briefly summed up as follows
They protect the crops to leeward
from the extreme cold of the north
wind, or from the drying effects of
the southwest wind, according to their
location; they help hold the snow
blanket in place, and SO lessen the al
ternate freezing and thawing of the
ground, so injurious to some crops,
such as clover and winter wheat; they
add greatly to the general appearance
of the farm; they furnish shelter for
the stock in the pastures; and they
supply certain amount of fuel and
fence-posts. The degree and impor-
lance of these advantages vary great
ly with the conditions. -.
The disadvantages usually men,
toned are three in number: Wind
breaks occupy space which could be
more profitably devoted to something
else; they pile up the snow-drifts near
them in the fields to leeward, and
these delay the spring planting; they
shed small branches and litter, which
interfere with the working of the farm
machinery.
These are certainly objections in
the case of land devoted to small
grains; and 1t is yet an open question
whether the benefits derived are more
than enough to Offset them. Expert
ments are now being carried on by
the department of agriculture to deter
mine the true value of wind-break pro.
lection, but they are not yet COM
pleted.
One of these objections, the drop.
ping of branches and litter, may be
wholly avoided by the selection of the
proper species of tree. The second
objection may be met with the ques.
ton whether it does not pay to have
along the edge of field turning.
strip, which may be used as perma'
nent pasture. There is always more
or less grain lost along the edge OF
the field if this is not done. The first
objection, that of lost space, cannot
be determined till the protection val
ne of the wind-break has been accur
ately determined.
These objections, however, apply
only in the case of grain fields. In case
of orchards and homesteads there can
be no question of the unadulterated
benefits OF wind-break Protected
in this way, many species of fruit
trees, ornamental trees and shrubs,
which would not be hardy at all in
the open prairie, do admirably There
are many instances on record where
orchards were several times at.
tempted in vain in the open, and final
ly were perfectly successful when
properly protected, preferably on the
north, west and south.
No one who has lived on the prai.
ries will dispute the advantages and
added comfort of home properly pro-
tected from the sweep of disagree.
able winds. All things considered
and in spite of the alleged objections,
the wind-break is indispensable on the