240 THE PLANT WORLD 



know how much pleasanter the roadsides are when shaded, and few will 

 fail to comprehend that there is need of forests about the sources of 

 brooks and rivers to keep them from drying. Arbor Day does somewhat 

 in this line, but hardly enough to make a serious impression. Short 

 compositions by the children on wild flowers, shrubs and the trees, 

 especially if some little prize were awarded for the best, would awaken 

 interest. It is my full belief, however, that carefully framed laws will 

 be the only real check upon this continually growing carelessness in re- 

 gard to our natural resources. 



No amount of sentiment could save the birds ; their destruction was 

 checked only by statute. 



If the farmers or land-owners need the monej^, no consideration for 

 the beauty or the good of the country will stop them from cutting their 

 trees and shrubs, be they on highway or along water courses. From 

 my own personal observations could be drawn numberless illustrations 

 to show the truth of this statement. 



Already much has been done by the Forest Commission, but 

 chiefly in those lands which belong to the State. They have been em- 

 powered to disseminate literature ; but it has probably gone to the 

 higher schools ; and the fact may have been overlooked that the large 

 mass of the farming population has only a common school education. 

 Their reports and warnings are useful documents, but no matter of 

 theirs which would interest the untrained mind, has come to my hand. 



Why should there not be one law on our statute books regarding a 

 matter of such general interest and need, which should be applicable 

 over the entire State ? 



It seems to me that a large majority of the population would be 

 pleased to see better care and protection given to the trees upon our 

 highways and village streets. 



The road commissioners could be empowered to guard the trees 

 which border and shade the public ways ; to forbid the cutting down of 

 such trees except where they are old, unsightly or decayed ; to compel 

 the replacing of such as were cut by young and healthy saplings, and 

 last, but not least, to preserve worth 3^ specimens of the forests when 

 the land bordering on the roads is cleared. In the choice of the latter 

 consultation with an expert forester connected with the State Commis- 

 sion would be of great benefit. 



Is there anything chimerical in these suggestions ? Few of us will 

 ever enjoy the beauties of the Adirondack forest or the Kaatskill pre- 

 serve ; but we shall not regret so strongly the passing of the forest if only 

 a strip shall be left us along the road to show us its original beauty. 



The connection between forest and deHcate wild flower is so close 

 that the safe-guarding of one means the protection of the other. 



