122 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan.,. 



* 

 indicated. We have an occasional season when these extremes 

 are not so apparent, marked usually by frequent storms and 

 absence of our cold northwest winds, and in their stead more mild 

 and southerly breezes — loaded as they are with ocean moisture. 

 At such times vegetation renews its vigor, all nature smiles and 

 we with it. But this is an exceptional season, the general con- 

 ditions of the last twenty-five years are very much as I have 

 indicated, and we must not expect to fare much better in the 

 future. 



The earth is a unit, one grand whole or system of organization 

 complete in all its parts. The ocean and the inland seas; the 

 continent, with its rivers, its mountains, its plains and valleys; the 

 animal and vegetable creations therein, with their mutual require- 

 ment of organic and inorganic constituents for their sustenance 

 and development, are all intimately blended and mutually depen- 

 dent on each other. Man stands at the head, the crowning, the 

 objective work or fruition of the whole system. The order, the 

 harmony, the beneficent wisdom of the great Organizer himself 

 is everywhere conspicuous. If we live in harmony with this 

 system, and not at variance with the all-pervading intent, we 

 shall realize our. true mission and become wise, useful, and happy. 

 Living in antagonism with these fundamental conditions, or at 

 variance with any part of them, is sure to result adversely, and 

 just to the extent of our departure therefrom. Causes must have 

 their effects — the Eternal Will is omnipotent and is indicated all 

 around us in characters unmistakable. The bounties of Provi- 

 dence are scattered all about us with a prodigal hand, but they 

 do not come to us spontaneously; we must reach out and grasp 

 them with a wise, a firm and energetic will, ere they become ours 

 in fact. Heaven helps those who help themselves, and he who 

 labors prays. 



These forest gifts have their mission beyond that of furnishing 

 timber and fuel for the use of man, a mission not confined to one 

 or a few generations, but co-existent with the races of animal and 

 vegetable life. I content myself with calling your attention to 

 this matter not only as individuals, but as legislators, on whose 

 shoulders rests this responsibility, so intimately connected and 

 interwoven with our prosperity as a race and a nation. European 

 governments have long since moved, not only to protect existing 

 » forests but to encourage the planting of new, with the most favor- 



