COMMERCIAL FORESTRY 



eral framing material in buildings not long since, 

 but our carpenters now are not so particular. 

 The American larch, commonly called tamarack 

 or hackmatack, found growing in low, moist situa- 

 tions, was valueless until railroad ties and telegraph 

 poles grew scarce ; and then they found immediate 

 value, now having largely disappeared. Hickory, 

 commonly called walnut in New England, was 

 the only wood thought suitable for tools, ax- 

 handles, whiffle-trees, etc. ; but go to the market 

 and see what are being substituted in its place. 

 Of course our tools do not last as long as form- 

 erly. Were there time, it could be shown that 

 each and every kind of wood has special qualities 

 that adapt it for specific usefulness. The more 

 we advance in commerce, industries and manu- 

 factures, we continue to discover new economic 

 uses for all of our raw materials and products. 

 There is not a species of wood grown at present 

 but has a recognized standard of value. The 

 time has come when simply the growing of cord- 

 wood in most sections of Massachusetts is a 

 promising crop. Particularly is this true where 

 the burning of brick is an important industry. 



We, as a Commonwealth, are at an extremely 

 interesting stage at the present time as regards 

 our forestry problem. It is not only true of Mas- 

 sachusetts, but of New England and, for that mat- 

 ter, the whole country, to a greater or less extent. 



As long as the prices of forest products re- 

 mained low, we laughed at the idea of forest 

 depletion. Experience is a wise teacher; and 

 although the histories of older countries point out 

 very clearly the mistakes they have made, their 

 errors are seldom heeded in a new country until 

 many of the same experiences have resulted. 



