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5.—‘' TREE CULTIVATION.” 
Tree planting has almost ceased to be a branch of British 
Agriculture. In the time of the Plantagenets the forests of 
England were almost impenetrable. Evidence of the extent of 
the woodlands known under the several terms of ‘‘ forest,” 
“chase,” “park,” and ‘ warren” is afforded by the numerous 
names of officers connected with those tracts, which have become 
firmly embedded in our list of surnames. 
To plant for future generations is what Washington Irving 
calls ‘‘ heroic culture.’ From a commercial point of view timber 
planting could be made profitable in many parts of our Island. 
Plantations formed in Scotland 40 years ago are not only an 
ornament to the scenery of the Highlands, but are yielding a 
revenue equal to that of the finest arable land in the country, 
where the ground previously was not worth one shilling an acre. 
We pay £20,000,000 per annum for timber and forest products 
imported from abroad. Timber has never decreased in value ; 
indeed to day the cost is 300 per cent. more than it was 60 years 
ago. In the backwoods of Canada and the United States there 
is often wholesale destruction of timber, owing to the recklessness 
of the hunters or settlers. The ravages caused by forest fires 
have been enormous. The regions thus denuded suffer in various 
other ways, for forests have an important influence on climate, 
on rainfall, on river-courses, and on fish in forest-bordered 
streams and lakes. 
Strenuous efforts are being made to re-afforest denuded 
areas by public or private means. In some continental countries 
the regulation of forests is the business of a department of the 
State. Trees ought to be planted in the squares and thorough- 
fares of our cities... In manufacturing towns there is need 
for something to diminish the dulness of our streets and the 
cheerlessness of our surroundings. Burnley, with its population 
of 60,000, is not adequately supplied with those accessories of 
advanced civilization which give brightness, dignity, and com- 
pleteness to our social life. Is it not desirable to obtain a fuller 
diffusion of ‘‘ sweetness and light ?”’ Plant life is refreshing to 
the eye, giving an inward pleasant emotion ; it is refreshing to 
the sense of smell—exhaling odours in which we delight. There 
are trees which are adapted for town growth, and are patient of 
town smoke. The subject is worthy the attention of the Cor- 
poration of Burnley ; for though they could not hope to produce 
stately avenues and construct ornamented boulevards, yet they 
could give us something beautiful, which would stimulate our 
energies, and minister to our happiness. 
