147 



80. Experimental Forest Stations Prof. A. Leue, Cincinnati, O. 



81. Trees of Worship Among the Ancient Greeks, 



Prof. Edward North. Clinton, N. Y. 



82. Romance of Forests Gen. Durbin Ward, Cincinnati, 0. 



83. Distribution of Conifers in the United States, 



Dr. George Vasey, Washington, D. C. 



84. The Cultivation of the White Mulberry, 



Samuel E,. Lowery, Huntsville, Ala. 



85. Profits of Durable Trees Dr. A. Furnas, Danville, 111. 



The first session was devoted to the necessary organization and the appointment of 

 committees for the nomination of permanent officers, and to prepare a constitution and 

 by-laws. On re-assembling in the evening a large concourse of citizens were present, from 

 fully two to three thousand in number. An address of welcome was delivered by Gen. 

 Durbin Ward, who, in behalf of the " Queen City of the West," extended cordial greet- 

 ings to all the representatives assembled. Much enthusiasm was manifested by the 

 audience when the speaker referred to the delegates from the Canadian Provinces. Gov- 

 ernor Foster, on behalf of the State of Ohio, next spoke, welcoming in the warmest man- 

 ner the delegates from abroad. 



Governor Foster's Address. 



Gentlemen of the Forestry Congress : The citizens of Ohio appreciate the honour 

 which this assemblage of thoughtful and scientific people, upon this, the occasion of the 

 first meeting of a National Forestry Congress, confer upon their State, in selecting it for 

 the place of beginning a great wor'c, and it affords me pleasure gratefully to acknowledge 

 the compliment you have thus paid us, and to extend to you the welcome and hospitality 

 of our citizens. 



The subjects that are to be discussed by this Congress have worthily attracted great 

 attention and thoughtful consideration in the countries of Europe, by the General Gov- 

 ernments and many of the State Governments ; but so far as our own country is con- 

 cerned it has not attracted a tithe of the attention which the great importance of this 

 subject demands. 



The general public is just being awakened to its importance, and will watch your 

 proceedings with more attention than has been given to any other public assembly re- 

 cently held, or likely to be held in the near future. 



The public need is to be enlightened upon the annual rate of destruction of our 

 forests for commercial uses and agricultural and mechanical development, the annual 

 losses by fire, and at the present rate of destruction how many years will elapse before 

 the destruction reaches such a point as most seriously to afiect our water supply, agricul- 

 tural products, and health of our people ; upon the best methods of economy in the use 

 of timber ; upon prevention of unnecessary waste ; upon the best manner of securing 

 safety from destruction by fire ; upon the effect of destruction of the forests upon the climate, 

 water supply, rain-fall, productiveness of soil and health of the people ; upon the ratio of 

 forests to cultivated land necessary to the best results ; upon the most effective means for 

 supplying the losses occasioned through fire and deforestry by farmers and lumbermen, 

 and, finally, upon the legislation that Congress and the General Assemblies of the several 

 States and Territories should enact. 



Your scientific and practical attainments are a full guarantee that the subject you 

 have in hand will be most thoroughly and earnestly considered. 



You will pardon me, I know, for suggesting one consideration that ought not to be 

 overlooked, if practical results are to be obtained. 



The people of this country are eminently practical, and the strongest inducement for 

 action upon the suggestions that, will go forth from you that can be presented them, is an 

 affirmative answer to the question, " Will it pay to follow the advice of the Forestry Con- 

 gress?" And I use the words " Will it pay" in a broader sense than mei'e pecuniary profit. 



If you can furnish an affirmative answer to this query you will have jnade a great 

 step forward in the Avork that has called you together. 



