52 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



with, it is true, but if so, it must be done at the expense of the 

 finest and most impressive influences. '*The truth is," says Ham- 

 erton, "that a solitude is not so solitary if there is a tree it, and if 

 there is a group of trees we feel it to be almost peopled." Indeed I 

 think it will be found true in the experiences of most of us, that 

 those scenes which come home most warmly to our sympathies, and 

 that seem to have a perennial hold upon our hearts, are those that 

 are enriched by the abundance of Iheir trees, shrubs and flowers. 



For generations we have been a people of tree destroyers. Our 

 forefathers in clearing their openings wanted not a tree to be left 

 standing about cabin or hovel — there were trees enough everywhere, 

 and of what good were they except for fuel and saw logs? Then 

 down came the trees, log piles were made and burned, and the early 

 settlers seemed in a hurry to rid the ground of every vestige of 

 Nature's most beautiful creation. But we are glad to have lived to 

 a day wh?n a higher and more rational public sentiment pervades 

 our people ; when trees, are regarded as objects of beauty, deserving 

 our affection and care ; when to cut down a beautiful tree is felt to 

 be a kind of slaughter, and to protect them is the sign of a tender 

 and merciful disposition. 



In a country of so varied natural beauty as that favored portion 

 of New England in which our homes have been cast — with its diver- 

 sified landscape, picturesque views of lake and river, hill and valle3', 

 with its healthful climate and exceedingly varied and interesting indi- 

 genous flora, it should be regarded as a matter of neglect, almost of 

 reproach, if any one buying, building or creating a home for himself 

 and family, should fail to embellish it with some portion of that 

 infinite wealth of beauty and charm connected with the trees and 

 shrubs which may be had almost for the taking and planting. It 

 should be a dutj^ with all citizens in town or country having a small 

 village flat or possessed of broad acres, to adorn them with those 

 objects of perpetual beauty and service which do not decay as do 

 the cottages and halls which they build, but are a constant source of 

 admiration and delight as the years go on ; for trees, unlike houses 

 and churches, temples and towers, do not begin to decay so soon as 

 planted, as these other things do so soon as builded, but they grow 

 and flourish throughout the centuries ; they give joy and confer hap- 

 piness upon children's children, they may live to bestow blessings 

 upon strangers, even, and long years afterwards furnish the material 



