VALUE OF TREES AND SHELTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1922, Page 3

VALUE OF TREES AND SHELTER.

AN INTERESTING LECTURE. (By Our Oakura. Corespondent.)'Mr. Maxwell paid a visit to the hall on \Vednesday, 19th inst., to speak on the subject of tree planting. Owing no doubt to the fancy dress social on the previous night the attendance was very small. In the course of his remarks, which Mr. Maxwell described as more of a talk, than a lecture, he informed those present that hd meant to deal not with forestry, but with the planting of trees by farmers for shelter, firewood supply, and the many incidental uses to which timber may be put. The settler’s way of planting he described as almost a direct contrast in some respects to that of the forestry. The former plants thickly with the object of having a supply to suit his needs, whereas the latter loses more than one-half his plants in thinning out. Trees, said the speaker, hold the rain fo» a long time, and were it not ’f° r them the moisture would simply evaporate almost immediately after it had reached the earth and be lost. They also ensure a gradual supply of moisture to the air, and thus help to advance the* growth of vegetable matter during dry weather. Moreover, they break the force of the winter gales, and add beauty to the appearance of the homestead. Were each farmer to do his “bit,” not only would the scenery of the surrounding district be much impressed in many instances, but the climatic conditions too would benefit to a great extent. Dealing with the complaint often heard that trees occupy so large a space where pasture grass might be grown, Mr. Maxwell explained that they eventually improve the soil and afford a ■larger revenue than many other more difficult farming operations bring in. Patriotism, in the opinion of the speaker, begins at home. From love of home springs Jove of country, and nobody, can love a home which stands in a bleak, wind-swept locality. Even the most uninviting homesteads may be beautified by judicious planting in suitable positions. His own home stands in what was at one time a dull situation, and his first efforts at bouse-building were rewarded by one day, after a gale, finding the rubberoid lining hanging in shreds on a wire fence, more than a quarter of a mile away. “It is now,” said he, “a bower of delight brought about by planting trees to ward off the winds.”

Trees, too, benefit stock. Just as cold winds make ourselves feel so do they prevent cattle putting on condition. * Stock reared in sheltered paddocks with very little food keep in good condition all the year round, whilst those in open paddocks are liable to take away any disease. Coming to the subject of the' best species of trees to plant, Mr. Maxwell informed his audience that experience showed that pinus insignus in rows of two or three deep at a distance of six feet from a thick boxthorn hedge afforded the best protection, and at the same tirpe gave the best return in the way of supplying timber for the use of the settler. The hedge must be trimmed regularly on the side remote from the trees but not on top. and the branches overhanging the hedge must be lopped off, otherwise they would kill till growth underneath them.

In conclusion, farmers were advised to plant all gullies, which often prove death traps to cattle, with trees, the tops of which will form a wind screen ■for stock, except where the gullies are too deep, Mr. W. K. Morris thanked Mr. Maxwell for the information, and apologised for the small attendance.