VALUE OF SHELTER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 84, 3 January 1935, Page 12

VALUE OF SHELTER

Benefit to Stock and Pastures INCREASING PROFITS (By “Cultivator.”) An essential on the farm during the hot months of the New Zealand summer just as much as during the bleak winter days is the provision of adequate shelter. This applies to all types of farming. Stock, crops, and orchards all require plenty of shelter in hot weather.' This can well be provided for by the establishment of windbreaks and shelterbelts. Any farmer possessing such facilities on his property is ever ready to emphasise their value and never hesitates to recommend their provision. When planting shelter-belts regard should not only be given to the matter of providing shelter for stock, but also for pastures and crops from the prevailing winds. The value of hedges and shelter-trees for these two purposes is unquestionable. Rather an interesting case which illustrated the true value of shelter-belts so far as they to crops arid pastures was noted in the Taranaki district several years ago. In this particular instance the farmer had hedges of box-thorn growing on his farm. For some reason he had occasion to cut out some of the hedges, and the next season lie only took four cuts from bis lucerne field instead of five as lie had done in previous years. In many districts in this Dominion the practice of providing shelter for stock and pastures by means of shelter-belts is far too seldom regarded in the proper light. There is a need for far more windbreaks and trees for the provision of adequate -shelter. The ultimate results of any initial outlay will repay the farmer handsomely. The welfare of stock in the hot weather, just as in the cold and stormy periods in winter and spring, demands plenty of shelter. In order to present shelter from the prevailing winds hedges of a desirable habit should be planted at suitable angles. It is, however, desirable to reduce the -hedges to a minimum extent to avoid the labour which even the most suitable plants sometimes require. Unsatisfactory Shelter-belts. Far-too often are shelter-belts on the farm unsatisfactory owing to quite inadequate planting. The provision of such facilities should be regarded in the light of economy. Comprehensive study of the conditions encountered on any particular property is advisable before any move is made to commence planting operations. Consideration should be given to the climatic conditions, the latitude, altitude, and the soil. Frequently the mistake is made of planting a row or two of trees to which stock is admitted at an early stage, with the result that tHe trunks and lower branches become bare. When this occurs the trees become of little use. Certainly they afford a little shelter from the hot sunshine, but in stormy weather they are of no use at all either to stock or to growth of any nature. This is due to a bleak draught created by the winds passing beneath the boughs. In order to be of real use the trees should be thick right to the ground, so as to stop all draughts. No matter what plantations are made, it is essential that they should be permanently fenced off from stock. If this is not done the bottom growth will quickly be destroyed, and the plantation rendered useless for the purposes of shelter. Often the planting of hedges fails on account of a lack of necessary attention in making suitable preparation of the lana upon which planting is to be carried out. The land to be planted should be thoroughly cleaned of all weeds and growth and unless this is done before planting it is almost impossible to maintain the necessary cultivation required for the first two or three years until the plants are thoroughly established. Neither wi.l the plants while young and tender stand the treading and browsing of stock. Neglect and unseasonable trimming should be obviated, as these two factors often result in hedges becoming, stunted ant. bare. In cases where they have been neglected it is necessary to cut back into the old wood, an operation which should be carried out in the early spring in toe case of evergreens, and rather earlier in the case of deciduous plants. Reduced Evaporation. Tlie provision of windbreaks leads to a reduction in evaporation, which is equivalent to an increase in the rainfall. Areas unsuited for certain crops by reason of an insufficient rainfall might therefore be made to grow them profitably if protected by efficient breaks. Evaporation proceeds at a rapid rate in cases where the rainfall is unrestricted Often the moisture evaporates to such an extent, that there is insufficient to provide for the needs of crops. There is. therefore, an obvious necessity for conservation of all the moisture existing.. This can be accomplished to a surprising extent by the provision of adequate breaks. Where the question of economy comes largely into prominence so far as savings on stock are concerned is with regard to food supplies. Where animals obtain sufficient shelter they do not demand so much food as would be the case were they exposed to the elements Mortality among sheep, particularly during lamb■n” and shearing seasons, is considerably lessened where shelter is provided. It must be obvious, therefore, that adequate windbreaks and shelter belts on a farm provided they are correctly grown and properly cared for. represent welcome savings. Profits will be increased by their provision, or it may be possible to turn loss into profit.