392 



cutting off a wood lot, a period not far from 30 years may be 

 advantageously allowed before the re-growth should be again 

 recurred to. A period of little over 20 years is allowed by some, 

 prompted often by a desire to avail of the capital. 



" But when the annual growth in circumference in each thrifty 

 tree is considered as about one inch, the latter period appears 

 too'short. If, however, the wood is of birch, &c., or the smaller 

 growth is wanted for hoops and other uses, a different calcula- 

 tion must be made. These differences of time may be corrected 

 and brought to a better result by the observation and experience 

 of our farmers. 



" The growth of an apple tree in one year, is from 1:^ to 2^ 

 inches in circumference. An elm in 20 years gave 1§ inch. 

 An ash in 20 years gave If inch. These trees stood alone. 

 In some instances where trees have stood from half to three 

 fourths of a century, their growth has been found to be 1| 

 inch per year." 



I have entered somewhat upon this subject in my First Re- 

 port, and shall not, therefore, extend my remarks. The sub- 

 ject cannot be too earnestly pressed on the consideration of the 

 farmers in every part of the State. The growth of the com- 

 mon white birch is a source of considerable profit in many 

 parts of the state, as it will generally answer to cut it in 7 or 8 

 years. If suffered to stand until twelve years, it is often in a 

 state of decay. Our forests should have as much attention as 

 any portion of our husbandry. The cattle, at least in the 

 early growth of the trees, must be effectually excluded from 

 them. On the island of Nantucket, where no wood scarcely is 

 grown, and where the impression prevails generally, that none 

 can be grown, the sheep which run at large over the island, 

 mutton-heads as they are, if they could speak, would at once 

 solve the mystery. On the island of Tuckernuck near by, and 

 equally exposed, I saw a flourishing growth of young oaks of 

 seven years old, which as well as I could learn, fortunately 

 for the owner of the lot, the Nantucket sheep had not seen, un- 

 less it were across the water. The exposed situation of such 



