388 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTURE. 



three trees of a kind on an acre. As the cKmate along the Amazon is ahvays mild, 

 the leaves are always on the trees and always dying. There is nothing bleak as 

 our winter; there is no fresh, universal thrifty green like our June. 



Dr. Steere saw some large trees now and then six to seven feet in diameter ; 

 one grove of Brazil nut trees three feet through and trunks eighty feet high on 

 the Upper Paru river. They stood as thick as sugar maples stand in some 

 parts of our State. All the valuable and fragrant woods he noticed have only a 

 very small heart (the only valuable part) surrounded by an immense growth of 

 sap wood of no value. The best of the timber in this State for boards and hew- 

 ing grows thick and tall and straight, usually much of it good and of a few 

 kinds on a single acre. Where the soil is not favorable, the trees are more scat- 

 tering, broader, crooked, and less valuable. 



A THOROUGH SURVEY OE THE STATE 



in reference to its trrees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, with some fine illustra- 

 tions, would be of great interest and value in many respects. This has been 

 strongly impressed upon my mind more especially while engaged in making a 

 collection for the centennial. The timber which is large or most valuable has 

 already been cut away in many of the older jiarts of the State, While facts can. 

 be easily obtained of the older settlers in reference to the trees, they should be 

 collected and recorded by text and maps and other means. Such a work well 

 done would not only interest men of science, but farmers, mechanics, nursery- 

 men, all classes of intelligent persons. Massachusetts has a good report of twO' 

 volumes lately revised for a second edition. 



THE DIFFICULTIES OF COLLECTIXG 



good specimens of such a great variety of trees and shrubs in so short a time Avitli 

 no money to pay for them have beeir very great. Many of the specimens are 

 not known by any one but a good botanist. Every body was asked through the 

 State press to give information and to heliD about making a collection. The 

 invitation was so general, and the people so numerous that nearly all waited for 

 others. Many who replied' very generously offered valuable aid in getting fine 

 specimens, but when asked, most of these gave the matter no further attention 

 or found some good excuse for not complying with the request. Some were very 

 slow. In many places the roads were very bad nearly all winter. After being 

 offered specimens, then asking for them, and again being assured they would 

 certainly be sent, and then several letters written to liurry up and encourage the 

 person, I often found a? the time approached for the specimens to be ready that 

 I must go without them or get them from some other source. 



A large specimen often proved hollow or rotten and worthless, or the owner 

 had sold the place and the new proi^rietor wasn't patriotic. 



One promises to get forest seeds. He gets them, but when too late to get 

 them from other sources, they are spoiled by some accident. 



One man offers, without price, a nice apple tree Avhicli blew over the summer 

 previous. He is asked for it, and replies, "I could receive from ten to twelve 

 dollars for it for turning purpose;^. Now if you will, or can through your 

 influence and business, assist me to get a pass to the Centennial, I will ship you 

 the tree. Let me hear from you soon." 



Another man is sure he can get a nice ailanthus, but it is not on his place. 

 He tries, but the man's wife doesn't want to spare it. He was sorry he had 

 said anything about furnishing the tree. So was I. 



A Kentucky coffee tree was promised, as the owner had two nice ones. When 

 asked, after some delay, he finds another man who is willing to furnish a tree, 



