Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-06-14
VALUE OF WINDBREAKS.
They reduce Evaporation, Hinder the
Blowing OF The Soil, and Pre-
vent Physical Damage.

turns from the sheltered crops and
by the value of the wood produced is
indicated by studies made by special
lists OF the forest service OF the United
States Dept. OF Agriculture. The re-
suits OF those studies are reported in
/ a recent publication of the depart
nent, Farmers Bulletin No. 1888, the
Windbrake az 4 Farm Asset.
The value of a windbreak is meas
ured by its impenetrability. Ordinar-
lily 1t does not provide an absolute
barrier to the wind. but only greatly
reduces the velocity OF the air cur
rents. To increase the effectiveness
Of the breaks. several rows of low
growing trees and shrubs often are
planted parallel to the main planting.
Windbreaks serve useful purposes
both when used 70 protect growing
crops and farm buildings.
A Protection to Crops.
When used as a protection to grow
Ing crops windbreaks reduce evapora-
ton, hinder the movement OF top soil
and prevent physical injury to the
crops They also operate to bring
about higher temperature in the
protected area during the day, an
effect due largely to the reductit n OF
| evaporation. or these functions, the
saving of moisture is the most i'm
portant, since anything which helps
to make additional moisture avail
able to crops is, under normal condi-
lions. direct benent to the farmer
Windbreaks also tend, however, to
AFFECT crops adversely to a certain ex-
tent. The roots of the trees spread
under the nearest plants OF the ad-
Joining crops and sap from them
moisture and plant food. BY shad-
ing the ground. the breaks may also
prevent the crops in the shaded area
from developing properly. Whether
the total effect of the windbreak ia
good OF bad depends upon whether
the BENEFITS derived from its influence
on wind movement. temperature and
evaporation are greater or less than
the injury resulting from the sap
ping and shading OF the ground near
by.
Taking all OF these factors into
consideration. the specialists OF the
department have reached the conclu-
sion from their studies that with or
binary field crops the farmer may
count on a benent from windbreak
protection which will make the loss
OF the area occupied by the trees neg
ligible. Under middle western con-
ditions windbreak whose width
does not exceed two or three times
it's height will more than pay for IT.
self. regardless OF the timber II may
produce. Farther east the same kind
OF influence and benent will exist.
though in a less marked degree. and
a greater direct return may be ex-
pected from growing the timber for
It's own value. SO that the need OF ev-
en- = slight amount OF protection
should make windbreak planting at
tractive. The saving with corn was
especially marked the investigators
found.
About farm homes the principal
function OF windbreaks is to promote
the comfort OF the farm family. BY
cutting OF the unrestricted sweep OF
winter winds the breaks make the
heating OF the buildings easier and
therefore less expensive.
Planting Windbreaks.
In any region the windbreak should
be 80 laid out as to offer the creates;
resistance to damaging winds and to
protect the greatest area. This sim
ply means having the belt or row AT
right angles to the prevailing winds
The kind OF trees to plant should be
determined by the moisture and 9th
er climatic conditions. Under the
respective conditions favoring their
growth the following varieties OF
trees or shrubs have been found use
full in the construc lion OF windbreaks
Cottonwood, mulberry. Usage orange
green ash, locust, Scotch and Norway
pine, Colorado blue spruce, Black
Hills spruce, white pine, sagebrush
Pinon, alligator Juniper. cedars. Mon
terey sypress, Monterey pine. euca-
lyptus, Carolina and Lombardy pop
lar. and willows.
In designing the windbreak the
width OF the strip of ground to be
allowed the windbreak may be figur-
ed at from one and one-fourth tC
twice the height of the trees; for In
stance. a single row OF trees 80 feet
high should be allowed a strip OF
ground from 81 to 100 feet wide
In addition to the saving resulting
from protecting crops, farmers may
count normally on considerable di-
rect return from windbreaks in tho
surplus wood available for construc-
ton purposes and fuel. The annua
growth may be figured as worth
from about 81 to $50 per acre pei