l68 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



ward, so that water will not collect so readily, and decay be 

 thus furthered. Cut low, so that the sprout may send down 

 roots of its own into the soil. If there are certain trees from 

 which you do not wish sprouts, cut the trees in summer, when 

 the stumps will be more apt to die. 



I am sure such a brief reference to these scattered points 

 in forestn,- practice is as unsatisfactory to you as it is to me 

 to have to touch upon them so hastily. But it may at least 

 have served to give you some insight into a few of the aims 

 and methods of forestry. 



Let us now look for a moment at what is being done by 

 the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for the en- 

 couragement of this work. There are two lines of effort, in- 

 dependent in origin, but both carried on by the Experiment 

 Station. First, from the income of a private bequest experi- 

 ments in forest planting are being started. A tree nursery 

 was started near Hartford last spring, and as soon as the 

 young trees are old enough (one to three years according to 

 the species) experimental planting will be begun on " plains '* 

 land in the vicinity- belonging to the station. Along with 

 this work ever\' opporttmitj' is taken of giving such owners of 

 woodlands as may desire help all the advice, practical assist- 

 ance, and encouragement possible, whether it be in the plant- 

 ing, or the care and protection, or the careful harvesting of 

 timber land. And if opportunity permits, it is hoped a care- 

 ful study may be made of the woodlands of some portion of 

 the State. This will be with the idea of determining the 

 extent and condition of the wooded areas and of the waste 

 lands, how best they can be improved and managed with most 

 profit to their o.wners, and with the greatest benefit to the 

 general public. 



The second line of work is the proposed establishment of 

 a State park. At the last session of the legislature a small 

 sum was appropriated for the purchase of lands for such a 

 park, these lands to be bought by and to be under the man- 

 agement of a State forester appointed from the staff of the 

 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Steps are now- 

 being taken toward procuring the lands, which when secured 

 will be deeded to the State of Connecticut. Calling it " State 

 Park " is perhaps misleading to many people. The idea at 

 present is not that it shall be primarily a game or fish preserve. 



