Show The systematic planting of trees i shrubs vines grass and other I ground covers can successfully Prevent prevent prevent pre pre- vent erosion both in open areas 11 and along the miles of stream and river banks in the United States Vegetation alone will not hold steep banks in place during a heavy rainfall but foliage plants break up the raindrops as they fall softening their destructive impact upon the topsoil For prevention of open land erosion erosion erosion ero ero- sion sion plantings along roadways can greatly reduce the drifting of soil and dust much as snow fences in inthe inthe inthe the North catch and hold blowing snow A per mile wind has about four times as much power to pick up soil as a per mile wind When its velocity is reduced by half the dust-carrying dust capacity of a mile 40 wind is reduced b by Y 75 15 The American Association of Nurserymen says plants properly planted can reduce wind velocity by this amount Whereas few people have control control control con con- over the land where the majority majority majority major major- ity of erosion occurs many individual homeowners can contribute contribute contribute con con- tribute to preventing erosion in their own areas On the plains particularly particularly particularly par par- each yard and each farm needs to have its soil stabilized in order that the area as a whole will not be an easy victim to wind ero ero- sion A few trees planted strategically strategically strategically cally on a lot can be of immense help in ensuring that topsoil will not be lost to neighbors or into nearby bodies of water Homeowners with property in inthe inthe inthe the vicinity of streams and rivers can make similar contributions to soil protection by planting trees shrubs and ground cover on their land At the same time they can reduce heating and air conditioning conditioning conditioning condition condition- ing costs by proper placement of shade trees that lose their leaves in winter Horticulturists are currently experimenting with plants that might be us used d in strip mining regions to help tie down the soil |