THE FARMER AT .tlOME. 171 



forests are famous in history. The first was a celebrated retreat of 

 the ancient Picts and Scots ; the latter anciently occupied the greatest 

 part of Europe ; particularly Germany, Poland and Hungary. In 

 Csesar's time it extended from the borders of Alsatia and Switzerland 

 to Transylvania, and was computed sixty days' journey long and nine 

 broad : some parts or cantons thereof are still remaining. The an- 

 cients adored forests, and imagined a great part of their gods to reside 

 therein ; temples were frequently built in the thickest forests ; the 

 gloom and silence whereof naturally inspire sentiments of devotion, 

 and turn men's thoughts within themselves. For similar reasons the 

 Druids made forests the place of their residence, performed their sacri- 

 fices, instructed their youth and gave laws in them. The moral 

 influence of forests to the contemplative mind, no one can deny, is of 

 a high order; and, in our own country, as a matter of taste and pros- 

 pective interest, there has been a recklessness in destroying them, 

 that is incomprehensible. 



It must be apparent to the slightest observer, that the forests of 

 the country are rapidly diminishing, and that wood every year is 

 scarcer and dearer. Considering the value and necessity of woodlands 

 to future generations, a farmer cannot do better service to his posterity, 

 and to the State, than to perpetuate the forests. To accomplish this 

 object, the woods now standing must be carefully guarded and cut 

 with caution. Only the oldest trees should be selected, leaving the 

 others to improve by standing. The high price of wood leads our 

 farmers, often to cut off all the timber of some pieces of land, whoso 

 soil, rocky situation, or position on a side hill, prove that it is of nc 

 service but for wood. A little care of such tracts, would lead to then 

 perpetuity, and to their constant increase in value. All wood-lands 

 should be so securely fenced that cattle should have no access. A lit- 

 tle care will protect the young trees from the growth of underbrush. 

 But there is one thing, hitherto neglected by our farmers, to which we 

 wish to call their attention, and that is the sowing of various nuts, that 

 will preserve the forest to posterity. It is on this subject that the pre- 

 sent generation have been the most careless, and have shown the least 

 regard to the benefit of the future, because they may suppose the 

 present will derive no advantage from it. Let therefore, our farmers, 

 every year scatter acorns of different species, especially of the white 

 oak, beach nuts, hickory nuts of the kinds most serviceable for fuel, and 

 in places adapted to the tree, chestnuts, if they wish a supply of fenc- 

 ing, maple and ash keys, &c , and they will be doing as much service 

 to their grand-children as if they laid up money for them at ten per 

 cent, interest, 



FOUNDEft. This is a disease of the horse caused by riding or 

 driving him until much heated and fatigued, and then allowing him 

 to cool suddenly, by drinking of cold water, or standing in an exposed 

 situation, or in a cold stable without covering ; or, without sudden 



