SECRETARY'S REPORT. 77 



modifying infliicncG, sifting them, as it were, as to deprive tlicm, 

 in great measure, of their blighting effects upon vegetation. So 

 well convinced are some of our farmers, of the importance of 

 shelter, that in a numl)er of cases where the natural growth had 

 been thoughtlessly cut away, belts or screens composed wholly 

 or in part of evergreens, which are well adapted to the purpose, 

 have been planted. ^ 



Of the economical value of our forests, it is, perhaps, needless 

 here to speak. It is becoming every year better appreciated, and 

 the replies show that in those seetions?Vherc they have been most 

 lavishly drawn upon hitherto, greater care is now taken, and 

 that a large amount of younger growth is making rapid advance. 

 One correspondent says; "Our young growth is now gaining 

 very fast, and I think we have as many, acres on which wood and 

 timber is now growing, as there were ten or twenty years ago." 

 Another says : "In regard to tlie woodlands, I am happy to say, 

 that the people are 'oecoming more economical. Much less wood 

 is wasted than formerly, and we now have a beautiful second 

 growth of oak, pine, maple, and other less valuable wood, which 

 if properly managed, and kept from fires, in a ft^w ycats will 

 greatly enrich the owners, and increase the resources of the 

 town.'' A third remarks : "The woodman's axe has been busy 

 with us. About every lot of wood and timber that could be 

 bought, has been purchased by speculators and stripped of its 

 growth, till the sturdy oak and lofty pine have nearly disap- 

 peared. The lots, however, are generally left to grow up to 

 wood again, so that taking the grovf th of all sizes, the number 

 of acres of woodland is probably on the increase." Many other 

 communications are to the same purport. 



Sicamp Land. 



There exists in our State a large amount of swamp or bog 

 land, not so often found in large tracts, as in those of moder- 

 ate extent, and comparatively few farms have not more or less 

 of it. It may be only a small patch, sufficient to furnish a sup- 

 ply of muck for the barnyard, cellar &c., but more frequently 

 there are a number of acres, greater or less. This is believed to 

 be in many cases the most valuable portion of the farm, or per- 

 haps more correctly, that it may easily be made the most profit- 



