TREES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



THE FORESTS. 



The immense variety, the many and important uses, and 

 the great beauty of our forests, must, naturally, attract the 

 attention of an observer ; and, as the preservation and im- 

 provement of the forests, in their highest degree, are above 

 private effort, require joint action, and must be effected on a 

 large scale, on a system wisely begun and long continued, by 

 the men of one generation for those of the next; and by the 

 application of science, taste and skill, not by one but by many 

 men, not in one village or town, but in a county and state ; 

 it is wise in a government not acting merely for the present, 

 but extending its forethought generously onwards, making its 

 knowledge and wisdom an invested capital for future use, and 

 desiring to do for coming generations, what they, when looking 

 back, shall wish it had done, — it is wise, prudent and patriotic 

 for such a government to order a survey of the forests, among 

 its other domains, that the people may know the sources of 

 their wealth and its extent, and learn how to value, enlarge 

 and enjoy it. The conception and ordering of this general sur- 

 vey, was worthy of the descendants of those who established 

 free schools, free courts of justice, and freedom in religion. 

 The idea was a noble one, with whatever success the work 

 may have been executed. 

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