232 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



am sure, done what they have been able to do to advance the 

 interests of the State in such lines, by their chairman they 

 have been represented before committees of the last Legis- 

 lature to promote activity and thought on such lines ; and he 

 has been cognizant of the workings of the Massachusetts 

 Forestry Association, the conmiittee of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society, and with the efforts of the many park 

 boards with inclinations to improve tree culture rather than 

 the forest territory. But a better knowledge of pure fores- 

 try is coming about, although, until lumber and pulp shall 

 become scarce, such forestry will be little attempted except 

 as "fancy forestry." 



The metropolitan parks about the city of Boston afford 

 fields for a nearer approach to pure forestry than most other 

 public lands with which I am familiar. Before the real need 

 for pure forestry comes, let us do all we can to implant, in 

 the minds of our people who are able to carry on its opera- 

 tions, a knowledge of how forestry is conducted. If what is 

 called " fancy forestry," or, as I understand it, pure forestry, 

 conducted for healthful occupation, can be a forerunner of 

 that time of need, let us encourage all attempts at such for- 

 estry, and strive to urge the right people to study such work 

 and become familiar with its principles. 



Some of those details can be read of in a little " beginner" 

 by Des Cars, but that beginner has much depth to it. I 

 mention it because it can be easily read, and its story is 

 plainly told. 



The penalties for forest destruction by fire must also be 

 more positive than is yet the case before forestry can become 

 an industry. In older countries, ownership in forest land is 

 reported to be as safe an investment as government bonds ; 

 and, if so, it is because the government protection is as good 

 for one as for the other. 



I feel that we shall all appreciate, among other things, the 

 wise advice of Governor Crane in his inaugural as to the 

 highway planning for the State, — that a comprehensive plan 

 be formulated, and worked up to by all whose responsibil- 

 ities tend that way. 



Without appropriations your committee can accomplish 

 little, and, while others are working out our problems with 



