FARM FORESTRY

Opunake Times, 16 July 1937, Page 1

FARM FORESTRY

IMPORTANCE OF SHELTER

At this time of the year the farmer can afford the time to do odd jobs around the farm and he cannot better occupy himself than by planting- shelter around his property. It is fortunate for the, farming community that the tree-planting season coincides with the more or less slack period on the farm, for adequate shelter represents one of the main essentials in the successful rearing of stock. In a recent article, Mr T. E. Rodda, manager of the Ruakura Faim of Instruction, stresses the value of shelter, shade and timber plantations on the farm, indicating the absolute necessity of shelter for the protection of stock, pastures, and crops. Perhaps the most important point in this connection, Mr Rodda points out, is the protection of the surface of the ground from the effects of harsh, drying winds. This is particularly noticeable on western and southern slopes in early spring for pastures are to a large extent dependent on the moisture held in the surface layers of the soil, and well sheltered fields do not lose as much moisture by evaporation as ones exposed to the full force- of the wind. Shelter is also very necessary for live stock during cold and wet weather and less food is required by stock io maintain their body temperature than when exposed to cold winds, continues Mr Rodda. Shelter is also required for ewes lambing where the spring weather is apt to be cold.

Necessity of Shade in Summer Shade for stock is very desirable during the hot summer weather. Dairy cows especially benefit from the shade, and milk better where shade is provided. Sheep and lambs revel in shade, and lambs being raised for export come to maturity much quicker. Shade is also essential for pig-raising, a phase of pigfarming that many farmers do not appear to have realised when laying out their yards, states Mr Rodda. Good fencing posts, battens and rails are becoming, in most places very expensive. Waste parts of the farm can be very profitably'- planted in the quickly growing timber trees that will yield quite good returns. Plantations and hedges add immensely- to the appearance of the farm and the countryside. Indeed the value and beauty of the farm can he increased by an inestimable amount by well-organised and judicious shelter-planting. Fo hard and fast rule can be laid down in respect to the variety of trees to plant for shelter. This is purely a local matter and must

he governed by information gained through observing the varieties that do well in any particular district. Consideration must also he given at the' outset to the result required—whether shelter ly, or both shelter and timber. The practice of planting trees in single lines, with few exceptions, is ineffective, unless the farmer is prepared to maintain them by svtsematic topping and trimming of the sides.