STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETT. 59 



not replace in a lifetime what his axe may destroy in an hour. It 

 has taken a lifetime and more of the past to build up that miracle of 

 beauty, a tree — let us each and all strive to preserve and perpetuate 

 lor the- admiration of future generations, more thstfi one of these 

 magnificent miracles of beauty. 



Following Mr. Boardman's paper an essay was read bj' Mr. D. 

 H. Knowlton, of Farmington. 



ARBOR DAY AND ITS OBSERVANCE. 

 By D. H. Knovtlton. 



For many years there has been much said in this and foreign 

 countries about the preservatiou of the forests. The cause for it is 

 well known to all who have thought of the depletion of the forests by 

 the woodman's axe and the devouring flames. Maine bears upon her 

 beautiful seal a noble pine tree, and at home and abroad she has 

 been honored as the "Pine Tree State." When it received this name 

 its hills and valleys were covered with an unbroken forest, save 

 where the settler's axe had cleared his pioneer home. Far and near 

 towering majestically above other forest trees, the tops of the White 

 Pine swa3'ed gracefully in the passing breeze. Where are they now, 

 we may well ask. The lumbermen have felled them, and either at 

 home or abroad the Maine Pine has been worked into thousands of 

 homes. It is a valuable lumber for it is clear, easy to work, and 

 contains those qualities that will preserve it for years when exposed 

 to the elements. To-day, Maine has to send to the South and 

 West for pine, while its high price has necessitated the use of other 

 woods. 



I have little confidence in many of the statistics emanating from 

 our various forestry authorities, for some of them are inaccurate and 

 grossly misleading. A paper was recently read by an ofldcial of the 

 Forestry Department, dealing with the acreage of forest lands, and 

 the yearly consumption of forest products. Divide the acreage 

 given by the yearl}' consumption and the result shows that in just 

 nine years and eight months the entire forests of the United States 

 would be consumed. But that portion of the statistics referring to 

 the acreage I have no doubt is reasonably accurate, and from this 

 we learn that of the entire area of the State only 37 3 per cent has 

 been cleared of forests. This was done for the purpose of making 



