Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-07
AS
A WINDBREAK IS
EXPERTS ADVICE
May Be Planted From
j Seed; Free From
: Plant Pests
FARM PAGE EUCALYPTUS %.
H. w. SHEPHERD
Specialist Home Ground Planting


81 For several years there has been
II" growing prejudice against plant
&Ing The eucalyptus as windbreak.
MANY ranchcrs and observers have
that this fine tree cx-
fhansts the soil and makes under
Rgrowth impossible. The desire to
Ertilize every available space has
%caused many splendid trees to give
Nway for orchard planting. In some
Ceases the results have been injuri-
gleus TO groves and orchards.
II Many broad valleys of California
Ahavc areas exposed to rather strong
dprcvai!ing winds. During the spring
8ard summer these winds cause some
damage to fruits and much calling
His necessary, Not only must the
Reflect upon the fruit be considered,
SEut also the excessive Transportation
of moisture from leaves.
Windbrcaks Necessary.
n The leaves of plants arc filled
with small pores Through which mois-
ture passes. During warm weather
u Transportation increases and likewise
aadurinG windy periods. The loss Of
Afoliaac has been noted during peri
Fods of dry, windy days when the
soil indicated no lack of moisture
1 in other words, the leaves dried be
fore moisture could be supplied.
The efficiency of windbrcak is
& dependent upon certain factors. The
Thickness of growth and the height
1of growth are the important factors.
Very few trees have as few in
fsect pests and diseases as the euca-
%Fptus.
Many Varieties.
The best varieties for windbreaS
in the valley are eucalyptus rudis,
Eucalyptus tereticornis, eucalyptus
sriminalis and eucalyptus rostrata.
aThe eucalyptus tereticOrnis is also
adapted for fence posts. The latter
and eucalyptus rndis SHOULD predomi-
nate in the Imperial Valley.
When a small planting is desired,
the seed can be broadcasted in o
gardeners flat G2' x26'O at the
rate of 4 ounce. Over the lightly
compressed sandy loan the seed are
evenly scattered and an eighth inch
soil covering added. The flats are
then spfinklod AMI placed beneath
Bath. Zone ponnd|of seed should pre-
sduce 10000 trees.) The flats should
! he kept damp. and as soon as the
small seedlings appear watering
Should be done in the morning to
Nprevcnt dumping off.
+ Advice on Transplanting
E Theodore Payne, of Los Angeles,
has advised transplanting the seed
|Ings at two to three inches height.
The flats for bearing Young trees
could hold 100 plants. The soil for
stransplanting should be we'll drained
but somewhat heavier than the soil
used for seeding.
When the seedlings are six to
eight inches high and the ground
has been p|oWod, narrowed and wcli
prepared, they may be planted di-
rectly from the flats by cutting the
SQUARES of soil surrounding the
plants. Only the plants of uniform
growth should be planted. The
seedlings planted six to eight feet
apart in rows eight to twelve feet
apart will provide for cultivation.
A quart or two of water should be
added to settle the new soil about
the plant.
For the first two seasons the trees
will REQUIRE irrigation.
Help to Fruit Quality.
Windbreaks of eucalyptus will in
crease the quality of fruit in see
lions of strong prevailing winds,
and will also make the country more
1ivable. Vast areas in California
Dave been made attractive by euca-
lyptus trees. Many visitors to Cali
fornia call this splendid tree a Cali
tornia native.
FL Not only should this tree be con.
sidcred for fruit sections, but also
for grain areas.
G. Trenches may be dug and subsoiler
used early in the life of the tree to
sprevent the feeding roots robbing
field crops. One man in the San
Joaquin has thought so much of the
eucalyptus that he has MANFRED and
irrigated the trees and planted
shrubs along the driveway, which
have thrived. 49,.