632 president's address. 



and the browsing of animals of all sorts on growing forests. 

 This is of the utmost importance. 



The matter is one generally for the State to take up, yet there 

 are immense tracts under private control which would pay better 

 as forest than as grazing land, and if proper instructions could 

 be given, suitable schools of forestry instituted, men could be 

 trained both for the employment of the State and to assist private 

 owners. Land owners would be taught to see that it is in the 

 interests of their property to plant and conserve, for the existence 

 of young plantations even, which only their followers will reap 

 the full benefit of, will mark the growth of, to them, an important 

 asset. 



In many parts of Europe the organisation for the control of 

 the forests is most excellent. Perhaps of all countries Switzer- 

 land is the most advanced. The Reports of United States 

 Consuls, 1887, give some most valuable and interesting infor- 

 mation under this head. 



Forestry is not only a matter of vital interest as to poor lands, 

 but the reclamation of waste lands can be made profitable. I 

 find it mentioned in another United States Report that in 1885 

 there were 10,000 acres of thriving forest on Cape Cod planted 

 30 years before on sterile sands, and extensive woodlands similarly 

 planted at Wood's Hill ; on the other hand, other places that have 

 been denuded have become barren. 



On the shores of the Bay of Biscay dunes once stretched over a 

 hundred miles in extent. Sands were driven up the slopes, 

 forming dunes from 100 to 300 feet above the limit of the sea, 

 and moving inland they carried great desolation. Bremontier, a 

 century ago, persuaded the French Government to allow him to 

 experiment, and now there are over 100,000 acres planted with 

 maritime pine, blocking the sea out. The land at the back which 

 was formerly useless is now cultivated, and not only are the 

 hygienic results most remarkable, but the French Government 

 derives a revenue of 180,000 francs from the timber. 



