FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 47 



plants have begun to heat ; and also from the fact that most nursery trees are set 

 out in cultivated land where, in the fall, the action of frost tends to throw out the 

 seedlings, which have not begun to take hold of the ground with their roots and 

 suckers. 



The conditions of tree planting in uncultivated soil are different. The soil is 

 less compact, is largely made up of roots and partly rotted leaves and wood, and is 

 generally covered with a litter of leaves from the small growth, if not from the 

 scattering large trees already standing. 



It is often noticed that frost penetrates the forest floor but little distance, while 

 upon neighboring cultivated land it goes in several feet. The advantages of fall 

 planting in forestry work are : that it adds to the length of time available for doing 

 the season's work ; that it makes the necessary skilled labor more effective and 

 economical ; that there is less chance of the plants being killed by drought. When 

 planted just before the usual fall rains the plants may be considered as heeled in for 

 the winter, the earth becoming thoroughly packed around the roots and suckers 

 so that when spring opens they are ready to enjoy the full benefit of the genial 

 warmth and invigorating moisture. While our planting was in progress, after 

 3,500 trees had been set, there was a good soaking rain, and two days after the 

 work was finished there was another rain.'with some snow. 



The Catskills afford such a healthful and attractive summer home to the vast 

 population living within a few hours' ride that the district is destined to become a 

 resort with an ever-increasing number of visitors. It is reasonable to e.xpect that 

 it will become literally a great park, as much larger than the celebrated new system 

 of parks around Boston as those are larger than the little city squares formerly con- 

 sidered as parks. The mountain tops and steep slopes will be covered with a mag- 

 nificent forest, crowding down to the narrow strips of meadow and garden reserved 

 for fruit, vegetables and dairy products to supply the tables of the cottages, hotels 

 and boarding houses which will line the finely improved roads skirting the delightful 

 streams. 



The forests will be restored to decorate the mountains which so beautify every 

 view with their variety of curves and slopes; to revivify the air; to keep the cold 

 springs full : to preserve the rushing streams through the hot summer, renewing the 

 former conditions congenial to tlu; trout, and refreshing all. And yet under forestry 

 management they will furnish regular employment to many people and form the 

 basis of permanent local manufacturing industries, and finally be a source of profit, 

 like the forests of Eurojic, similarly situated, where there is a local market for all 

 the limbs and twigs which will not bear the cost of transporting far. 



