NEED FOR SHELTER

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1934, Page 20 (Supplement)

NEED FOR SHELTER

VALUABLE IN SUMMER CONSERVING OF MOISTURE. The dry weather emphasised the value of shelter belts not only against the cold and winds of winter but also against the heat of summer. Farmers realise that stock require adequate shelter during the winter when warmth is almost as essential as fodder. What is not realised so much, however, is the fact that stock require shelter also from the sweltering heat that prevails during the summer. A cow will milk much better if she is able to shelter from the very hot sun. More important perhaps than any other aspect is the effect that shelter belts, or plantations have in cutting off the wind from the pastures and so conserving the moisture, which does not evaporate nearly so quickly. It is well known that a strong wind, which is not checked by shelter belts will very quickly dry up the moisture that a beneficent rain shower has provided, so quickly that the shower does very little good. A good shelter break greatly restricts evaporation over an area several times greater than its own height. That is very important during a continued dry spell such as Taranaki experienced this summer when it. is necessary to conserve all the moisture possible. Shelter belts also prevent the soil from being carried away by the force of the wind, an important factor in Taranaki where the soil is so light. The removal of the natural bush in the inevitable process of settlement has had the effect of considerably minimising the beneficial effects of the rainfall, by causing the streams to become raging torrents immediately after the rain, but to dry up very rapidly in the summer months. Formerly the bush used to hold the water, which percolated into the streams during the dry weather so that there was never any danger of shortage. Plantations of trees are required to make up this loss. Plantations purely from the utilitarian viewpoint are worth while in that they ensure future supplies of posts, timber and fuel. Many farmers realise, the value of plantations and, as far as limited finances will permit, are endeavouring to supply the necessary shelter. Some, however, do not, but are still content to let nature do their farming for them. It has been suggested that finance for the purpose should be made available to fanners at a reduced rate of interest.