FARM SHELTER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1938, Page 3

FARM SHELTER

REQUIREMENTS OF STOCK. Plantations on the farm was a question very thoroughly discussed by many members when the Mangatawhiri Club held a field-day at Wesley College Farm, Paerata, recently, states Mr A. E. Webb, a member of the club, writing in the Journal of Agriculture. The subject of farm-shelter is, to my mind, so interesting that I would like to put forward my ideas on the topic fbr the discussion and criticism of other members.

. To begin with, there is the possibility of using those odd, steep, and ofI ten dirty gullies and corners for the growing of valuable timber. So many of our farms have these useless (from ai pasture point of view) pieces. Run- ; Hing through Wesley Colege Farm is i a> deep gully which, we were told, was once very dirty with blackberries, etc. This has been planted with blue-gums and macrocarpas and is now, besides being very attractive, not only clean, but- also a big potential source of fencing timber. This plantation was the subject of a discussion I had the folowing day, and I realise that opinions would vary considerably over the type of tree planted and the using of a gully for plantation purposes, but for the moment I must leave my own opinions until a little later. I know, also, of another and quite distant farm of a small area (about three acres) that is planted with pinus insignis spaced according to Forestry Department ideas. These trees are fine, straight timber and add considerably to the value of the farm. The possibility of growing valuable timber on waste portions is well worth considering. EFFECT ON HEALTH OF STOCK. Then, of course, there is the value of shelter-belts where the health of the stock is concerned. This has been stressed so much and is so apparent that it is hardly necessary for me to touch on it here, but I have heard it said that plantations are draughty and for that reason dangerous to the health of stock. I cannot agree with this, although I realise that some plantations are indeed draughty. In my opinion this is a matter for planning. Bor instance, the trees in a single row of pinus insignis (untopped) soon outgrow their usefulness, but a double row of pinus insignis (topped suitably) or a treble row of gums flanked on both sides by either Lawsonianas c macrocarpa make a plantation which will cause very little draught. Such a plantation, at all events, should be treated and planned as a breakwind and for “distant” use. For hedges immediately surrounding paddocks there are several types of tree that should make an almost windproof shelter. Foremost among these is the Cypress family. For instance, a hedge of Lawsonianas (suitable land which is not too wet is needed) if kept topped becomes after a few years nearly perfect wind shelter. We must not forget, of course, that shelter'trom the sun in summer is almost, <f not quite, as important as winter shelter. This has been brought home to us recently during the outbreak of facial eczema among stock. I