444 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



seem to swallow up the previous question, and are consequently induce- 

 ments alone to its prosecution on our part. Were neither of these suffi- 

 cient, however, to convince, the third great reason for tree cultivation 

 will surely convert even the most stiff-necked among us. It is no matter 

 of doubt, under average conditions, in any country, that tree cultur< 

 more profitable as a crop than its own agriculture, year by year. This 

 position is not open to question, but clear and marked in all experience 

 where age has given time for proof. And lastly, some men are satisfied 

 when large expenditure secures what to them is all in all ornament ; and 

 assuredly ornament is value. Who would not give 8500 more for a farm 

 where the buildings are set off by just the kind, number, and proper posi- 

 tion of trees and tree clumps. 



THE AREA OF LAND IN NORTH AMERICA 



is not an unknown thing. There is no case in Europe as regards small 

 propriety, having recently occupied a forest country, and where extensive 

 clearing took place for agricultural development. But it is not true that 

 the American continent is now poorly wooded in comparison with other 

 countries ; the United States can show twenty-five, and Canada fifty per 

 cent, of the cultivated districts, as still under trees. This is possibly 

 larger than any other continent, if we except the northern part of Europe, 

 where agriculture is necessarily at a discount, and where the forest is 

 practically untouched. What then is the cause of our discontent, if on 

 an average, one-third of populated North America is still under forest ? 

 why do we advocate conserving and replanting ? or in other words, what 

 are 



THE REQUISITE PROPORTIONS OF TREE SURFACE TO THAT UNDER AGRI- 

 CULTURAL CROPS. 



This is just one of the things that we do not know, and that we are not 

 likely ever to know as a point for general practical guidance. The con- 

 ditions affecting climate are so various as affected by latitude, altitude, 

 aspect, soil, sea or lake neighbourhood, and vegetation, that no possible 

 number of observations, in any length of time, could say how much for 

 one district is so much for another. However, men do come to realize 

 through science and practice practice especially that a farm, or a dis- 

 trict, needs the protection in certain places, and thus by such a simple 

 guidance alone, a country could be easily reclothed to the extent required, 

 at least for shelter, if not for regulation of climate, or of sufficient area as 



