No. 4.] F0KE8TRY AND KOADS. 211 



has adopted that plan, which is now available for a few lec- 

 tures upon certain important subjects. 



The improvement of our roads is becoming of greater value 

 to the owners of farming and forest lands, as each new year 

 opens, and consequently to the State at large. Highways 

 are being promoted by this State, and the neighboring 

 States lying to the north of us are striving to secure that 

 legislative action which shall advance these interests, and 

 apparently and naturally they desire to do so in a way that 

 shall })romote a New England system. 



The whole nation is interested in properly advancing 

 those natural conditions of each of her sections, so that, with 

 our diversified climate, the several seasons of the 3'ear will 

 find the greatest possible activity among the people pro- 

 moted. Not only that, but, as Europe and other older lands 

 have realized to the full extent the great value, in the pro- 

 motion of general prosperity, of encouraging travel, they 

 have recognized the underlying necessity of promoting in all 

 ways those branches of agriculture that advance the beauty 

 of the face of God's earth. 



The accessibility of the mountain, sea shore, lake shore, 

 etc., of the north, east, south and west of this nation, must 

 be reasonably improved in order to promote this very im- 

 portant phase, which is a great factor, underlining the gen- 

 eral prosperity of the nation as a Avhole. The move to give 

 New England a national reservation is in our interest. 



It is a benefit to Massachusetts to do all that she can, 

 under reasonable financial conditions, to draw to herself and 

 her more immediate neighborhood persons in active business 

 and out of it, Avho are able to travel from foreign countries 

 or from other parts of our own country. 



It is well to provide for good roads and good roadsides, 

 and it is encouraging to sec evidences that the planting 

 along our roadsides is becoming more recognized as a part 

 of the scheme to protect the good roads which have })een 

 provided for us at much expense. Knowledge on all these 

 lines has been greatly advanced by wliat the State has done. 



It was my privilege to visit tlie New Jersey road expert, 

 Mr. Owen, before our State began her highway work, and, 



