70 TRAKSACTIONS OF THE [OEC. 9^ 



of the Adirondack lakes was the richness and perfection of their 

 forest margins, — the trees grooving down close to the edge of the 

 water, and enclosing the lakes like mirrors in a frame of verdure. 

 Now this is utterly changed and destroyed, and the same lakes 

 are surrounded with a belt of killed timber, the dead and 

 spectral trunks forming a fringe of desolation ; and all this ruin 

 is wrought for the petty gain of the lumbermen in floating 

 down their spruce and hemlock logs. He contrasted with this 

 wretched method, which is being carried further and further up 

 the streams every year, the management of Mr. Fuller, who 

 had purchased a tract of land around Meacham Lake, and pre- 

 served it in its pristine loveliness, exhibiting great care and 

 skill in the actual maintenance and profitable conduct of a 

 woodland area. 



He also described the contrast found by him recently in visit- 

 ing his early home in Vermont. In former years the Winooski 

 River was rarely fordable for teams, while now it is abundantly 

 so. The process of denudation and desiccation is making fear- 

 ful advance, and calls for the most earnest attention of thought- 

 ful citizens. 



After remarks by several gentlemen above-mentioned, strongly 

 supporting the views of the previous speakers, — 



Prof. F. W. Hooper stated that he represented the Brook- 

 LYJsr Institute, and had been at great pains to come over and 

 attend this very important meeting. He trusted that the gen- 

 tlemen who had read this evening would consent to appear 

 before the Brooklyjst Institute, and he could assure them of 

 a very cordial and interested audience there. In conclusion, he 

 moved the passage of a resolution by the Academy, approving 

 the recommendations of Dr. Jarchow and Judge Higley, 

 and the appointment of a committee, consisting of President 

 Newberry and two other members, to further the interests of 

 forestry legislation, in such ways as the Academy might deem 

 advisable. 



The resolution was passed ; and the President named as the 

 other members of the Committee, Mr. Chittenden and Prof. 

 Martin. 



