FORESTRY. 217 



where it has proved very durable timber when properly 

 grown and seasoned. If the tree is cut when small in size, 

 before it has become sufficiently matured, it will decay rap- 

 idly. Some people noticing that fact may have judged 

 harshly of this tree and concluded that it is overestimated. 

 Doubtless there are some here who remember the recorded 

 instance of the Duke of Athol, who owned the northernmost 

 part of Scotland, to which you alluded, Mr. Secretary, which 

 was saved from the encroachments of the invaders simply on 

 account of the poverty of its soil and the roughness of its 

 climate. He found himself with a title and a long pedigree, 

 but with a purse altogether too short to support that pedi- 

 gree ; and, being a prudent man (this was 130 years ago), he 

 cast about to see how he mi<Tht wisely make use of his es- 

 tate, and his resort was to the European larch. In some 

 years that nobleman planted from a million to a million and 

 a half, and I think even two millions of trees, until his 

 plantations covered tens of thousands of acres. In recogni- 

 tion of his great success in the cultivation of that useful 

 timber, a ship of war was built, and every stick of timber in 

 it — every knee, carling, keelson and the very keel — was 

 shaped and formed from the larch timber that grew on his 

 plantations. From that estate was sold continuously for 

 many years as much as 18,000 or 20,000 loads of timber 

 per year, affording a princely income, which has been the 

 means of retrieving the fortunes of the house of Athol. 

 What can be done under the most disadvantageous circum- 

 stances, in the bleakest and most unpromising part of this 

 world, — for there is no place in New England that will com- 

 pare for bleakness and barrenness with the northern part af 

 Scotland, — can be done here. The success which has 

 attended the raising of trees in that country will furnish en- 

 couragement to any one who will attempt it, in a small way 

 or in a large way, as he may see fit, but do it thoroughly. 



Now, this matter of cultivating forest trees must be done 

 just as my friend Slade cultivates strawberries, or as another 

 man cultivates apples. It must be done thoroughly ; no 

 half-way measures and no foolishness. It will not do to 

 merely go upon a side hill, dig a hole and stick in your seed 

 or sapling and leave it. If you set out a tree, that tender 



