FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE. 63 



These very lands, however, which nature never intended 

 should be farmed, might be wisely and profitably planted 

 with white pine, and as the taxes in that case would be 

 remitted under our laws, and hence be no further burdon in 

 that respect for ten years, the owner, while following the 

 advice previously given as to small farms and selected prod- 

 ucts, could at the same time be making an investment which 

 would at least insure profit to his children. 



So many sources are available for obtaining infin'mation in 

 regard to tree planting, the proper varieties to select for 

 certain soils, methods of cultivation, thinning and pruning, 

 it is not necessary to speak of these matters here in a merely 

 general way. It is certain, however, that a studious man of 

 ordinary intelligence and tact will bring about better results 

 for himself than any hard and fast rules, laid down in books, 

 can do for him. It is to the practical application of lessons 

 taught us by observing our natural forests, and the results 

 of patiently conducted experiments, that we may look for 

 the exact rules which will govern the work of the future 

 planter, and which, inasmuch as this subject is for us a new 

 one, we must find out for ourselves. To use the words of 

 a recent writer :* — " As in the medicine the charlatan will 

 prescribe without diagnosis, so in forestry ho must be called 

 a charlatan who would attempt to give rules applicable to all 

 conditions and under all circumstances. A diagnosis not 

 only of the local conditions as to soil, climate and flora, but 

 also of the objects and financial capacity of the would-be 

 forester, must precede special advice." 



Aside from the question of forests and their relation to 

 commerce in forest products, which pertain comparatively 

 to a few, there is very much to be gained here by the 

 encouragement of roadside and ornamental tree planting. 

 This should not be lost sight of for a moment, as in this 

 nearly every one of us may participate. 



Any observing person, during the last twenty-five years, 

 must have noticed the rapid and gratifying increase in yard 

 and window gardening in almost every village and town. 

 Not only in quantity but in their quality, too, a marked 

 improvement is to be seen in the plants grown. This prac- 



* Rep. Forestry Div. Dep. Ag. Washington, 1886, B. E. Fernow, p. 223. 



