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sequences of the comparatively treelessness of this part of Spain, not only in the imme- 
diate loss of trees themselves, but in the indirect effects of the absence of proper dis- 
tribution of rains, and the consequent aridity and unproductiveness of the soil. Many 
persons think the deficiency of moisture in the table-lands, in so far as affected by the 
absence of trees, is a modern fact, produced by the progress of population and the im- 
prevision of the people in this respect. The evil may have been augmented in this 
way, but has a deeper and older origin; for the treelessness of the district of the 
country in question, and its aridity, were noted as existing in the time of the Romans. 
And the progress of population does not necessarily diminish the forests. 
Thus, in the State of Massachusetts, there is at present a larger proportion of acre- 
age in forest now than there was fifty years ago, notwithstanding the great increase of 
population, if we may trust to the reports of the agricultural associations of that 
State. There, however, as in so many other parts of the United States, new forest- 
trees spring up spontaneously, unless prevented by tillage, on the site of the old forests 
cut down, and even encroach on the neighboring grounds where these are not depas- 
tured or tilled. And the problem is why they have not done so in Spain, for which no 
solution is presented, except that the lands are left open to pasturage by sheep or neat- 
cattle. But this solution is not a very satisfactory one, the question being whether 
the pasturage is cause or effect, just as the suggestion of fires to account for the tree- 
lessness of our prairies involves doubt whether the susceptibility of waste by fires is 
cause or effect. 
It would seem that the prairies of Wisconsin and Iowa must have existed in a pre- 
vious state to be overrun by fires, and the plains of Castile by domesticated animals, 
without which neither could have been so overrun; and, as to the latter, the supposi- 
tion is confirmed by all which we certainly know, little as it is, of the primeval condi- 
tion of Spain. However that was, the injurious neglect of plantations in Spain is 
plainly discernible ; and such is the evil which Mr. Escobar proposes to cure by a law 
for the compulsory planting of forest-trees on a large scale wherever they are wanting 
in Spain. I observe, in passing, that the plague of locusts is understood to prevail only 
‘in regions of country comparatively destitute of forest-trees. 
Annexed is a translation of the bill introduced by Mr. Escobar in the congress. It is 
a fresh example of the plans of national reparation entered into by the persons now in 
power in Spain. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
C. CUSHING. 
BILL PRESENTED BY MR. ESCOBAR. 
ARTICLE 1.—In all townships of Spain, large and small, in which, in the judgment of 
the facultative forestal-inspectors, material possibility for it shall exist, steps shall be 
taken on account of the ayuntamientos (municipal authorities) for the raising and 
setting out of the species of trees best suited to the locality and appropriate for bound- 
aries of the larger estates, and those existing of more than twenty-five areas situated 
within the municipal limits. 
ARTICLE 2. Where the ayuntamiento does not own land suitable for the formation of 
a nursery, it may lease some for that purpose at the usual rates of the locality. The 
expenses of the formation, reproduction, and conservation of these public nurseries 
shall be divided among groups of ten ayuntamientos each, that those towns shall con- 
tribute also where nature does not allow them to be established within their limits, 
and which, nevertheless, will be benefited by the distribution of the saplings. 
ARTICLE 3. Every cultivator of one or more estates, owned or leased by him, is un- 
der obligations to place in January and February the saplings of the annual and gratu- 
itous distribution made by the ayuntamientos, in order to set them. out along the 
boundaries of estates of more than twenty-five areas, beginning by setting out those 
which are to serve as legal boundary-marks of the different estates, and afterward in 
the intermediate spaces those which they obtain in subsequent distributions and sub- 
stitution of live for dead trees. 
ARTICLE 4. The setting-ont of the trees which are to serve as legal boundary-marks 
will be done precisely half a meter, within the estate, from the site of the recognized 
land or boundary mark. When the boundary-line is in dispute, no tree shall be placed 
until it shall be settled by law or agreement of the parties. These trees, when grown, 
should be referred to in the description of the estate on making transfers of title. 
ARTICLE 5. The vicinal service is obligatory, as set forth by article 74 of the munici- 
pal law, for the formation of nurseries, and for aid in the planting of the saplings dis- 
tributed, as also the pouring of the quantities of water ordered, that the plants while 
young may take root. 
ARTICLE 6, The ownership of the trees given by the ayuntamientos and all their 
productions belong to the proprietor of the estate, but he shall not pull them up by 
trunk or root, even when old and decayed, without replacing them by new ones. Those 
which serve as legal boundary-marks shall never be removed while they live, unless it 
