VI PREFACE. 



considerable bulwarks of this nation will, within a few centuries, be nearly 

 extinct. With all the projected improvements in our internal navigation, 

 whence shall we procure supplies of timber, fifty years hence, for the con- 

 tinuance of our navy ? The most urgent motives call imperiously upon our 

 government to provide a seasonable remedy for such an alarming evil : 

 from a government like ours, which is the faithful expression of the public 

 will, and which has no concern but the prosperity and honor of a nation, 

 prospective wisdom is demanded. 



From the sensible decay and general havoc made in our forests, we 

 should be reminded, that such as do yet remain entire, may be carefully 

 preserved, and the loss of such as are destroyed, sedulously repaired. 

 There is no part of husbandry which men more commonly neglect than 

 that of planting trees, without which, they can neither expect fruit, 

 ornament or delight from their labors. But they seldom do this till they 

 begin to be wise, that is, till they grow old, and find by experience the 

 prudence and necessity of it. When Ulysses, after a ten years' absence, 

 was returned from Troy, and found his aged father in the field planting 

 trees, he asked him, " Why, being now so far advanced in years, he 

 would put himself to the fatigue and labor of planting that, of which he was 

 never likely to enjoy the fruits ? The good old man, taking him for a 

 stranger, gently replied, " I plant against my son Ulysses comes home." 

 The application is obvious, and instructive both to old and young. 



It seems hardly possible for any mind to become so debased as to be 

 insensible to the effects of nature, whose vegetable charms become 

 endeared to us as our age and reflection increase. But the more terrible 

 the sight, and the more violent the impression, the more agreeable is it to a 

 greater portion of mankind, who run with avidity after objects of horror, 

 while they pass unnoticed those which produce gentle and agreeable sen- 

 sations ; and it seems to all appearances, that they would rather tremble at 

 the awful thunderbolt of Jupiter, than calmly admire the bounteous horn of 

 plenty ; and many who will not cross their thresholds to look at a beautiful 

 scene of nature, will eagerly rush forward to get a sight at a storm or ship- 

 wreck in the play house. A more delightful cabinet of natural history can 

 scarcely be found than the forest or plantation affords. It offers matter for 

 contemplation of the most agreable kind, 



Which varies still as seasons still revolve ; 



and as every tree and shrub has its peculiar inhabitants, we have at the 

 same time a collection of animal and vegetable wonders, sufficient to 

 occupy all the leisure which our economical duties allow us. Every tree 

 we plant adds to the entertainment, which we are preparing for future 

 years, for ourselves, our friends and our country. 



Under the foregoing circumstances the author of this work has been 

 induced to compile the Sylva, the object of which is to furnish the public 

 with the history of all the important species of forest trees indigenous to 





