442 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



the first class, so that one of the first of their duties is the establishment 

 of Forest Departments, and the appointment and duties of a Conservator 

 of Forests for each Province. 



But it is not with Canada alone that arboriculture has to deal in the 

 future, the whole of this vast continent is concerned how much no one 

 at present will ever realize, and that is what strikes at the root of man's 

 indifference on the subject, that is, that he cannot himself personally hope 

 to receive all the benefits from the conservation of the present trees, and 

 particularly from replanting. American returns must be smart, strong and 

 undoubted ; the idea of permanency in the long after years does not con- 

 cern us so much as now ; we are fond enough of speculating upon cause 

 and effect, and, in this matter, delight in big talk, that indeed does not 

 lack for as much soundness as Europe can produce, but it is talk largely 

 only. Let us add to this phase of our life by submitting some other 

 thoughts on such an important subject, with the hope that we are not far 

 off from acting up to what is preached. 



THE GENERAL IMPORTANCE OF FORESTRY IN NORTH AMERICA. 



It is the experience of the world that more difficulty, in all its fo rms 

 is found in reclo thing with trees where trees grew before, than it is to 

 plant not replant a country for the first time. There is not only the 

 practical fact of succession of cropping in its scientific and natural bear- 

 ings as similarly realized, for example, in the products of the farm, but 

 the more serious one of the indifference of its population. It is just 

 a piece of human nature everywhere, that what has been felt as common 

 and every body's property, is no one's particular business when remedies 

 are asked for in the exigencies of public affairs. 



By Forestry is meant the whole science and practice of arboriculture ; 

 the conserving, the care-taking, preservation and proper management of 

 existing trees, and the replanting of land for purposes now to be discussed. 

 Speaking generally we are, and we are not, deeply concerned, as a nation, 

 in the more modern views of forestry. In Europe it takes a shape that 

 may never be realized here, because of one thing. that one thing is large 

 proprietory, the possessing within one mans power all the area and class 

 of soil suitable to profitable production on a large scale, so that even that 

 one man can employ officers and men in such numbers as to make profits 

 certain. Cultivated America meantime is so subdivided as to effectually 

 preclude all idea of sufficient massing of woods to receive equal results 

 with Europe but the day may come. Though not thus situated for 



