USES OF THE FORESTS. 11 



important. This use is closely allied to the last. A tree which 

 furnishes a cool shade to the inhabitants of a house, is at the 

 same time and on that account its best ornament. At the sea- 

 son when men travel for pleasure, a plain, low, modest house 

 with an open grass plot before it, shaded by an oak or an elm, 

 speaks more to the feelings and is more beautiful than the 

 showiest house unprotected from the sun. The traveller in a 

 hot day welcomes every tree on the road side. Even a thin 

 fringe of grey birches looks pleasant ; and he remembers thank- 

 fully the kindness or good taste which has spared, or planted a 

 tree with a head broad and thick enough for him to rest under 

 and cool himself. 



Trees should be planted not only by dwelling-houses and 

 along roads ; they should be in every pasture and by watering 

 places, and near every barn, — wherever cattle, horses or sheep 

 are to be provided for. All these animals suffer from our burn- 

 ing sun ; and, to say nothing of their enjoyment, the cost of 

 shade trees will be many times paid back in the saving of the 

 milk, fat, fleece and strength, which will be the consequence of 

 their being protected from the heat of the sun. 



6. The importance of the forests as furnishing materials for 

 ship-building, house-building, and numerous other arts, is so 

 obvious that it must occur to every one ; and yet there is dan- 

 ger that, in many places, from false views of immediate econ- 

 omy, no provision will be made for the wants of future 

 generations. It is not easy to estimate the pecuniary value of 

 the wood used in house-building. A vast deal of this is con- 

 tinually going on ; the aspect of the State is annually every 

 where improving by the erection of larger, better finished and 

 more commodious houses, barns and outhouses. And almost 

 all the materials have been, hitherto, except for the sea- 

 board towns, furnished by our own woods. But no returns of 

 these improvements are published. The thousands of tons of 

 timber, boards, clap-boards and shingles, are not put on record. 

 It is manifest, however, that the difference against us would 

 be great, if we had to look elsewhere for our materials. It is 

 indeed very desirable that better taste and more just views of 

 economy, should introduce the fashion of building dwelling- 



