ESSEX SOCIETY. 45 



of the lot until the young trees should have risen out of the reach 

 of cattle and sheep. I have no doubt that many acres now worth 

 very little for pasture, and nothing for any other purpose, might, 

 in a few years, be restored to forest, to the great increase of the 

 value of the land, and to the shelter and ornament of the sur- 

 rounding country. The oaks best suited to this object, are those 

 of the chesnut-oak division, particularly the rock-chesnut oak. 

 the white oak, and the black and scarlet : the beech and the ches- 

 nut would grow in this way, and, still better, the birches. Pine 

 and larches might be introduced on the same ground, which 

 would have the effect of protecting the oaks while young; and, 

 if the oak-forest promise well, might, as it came on, be cut 

 down. 



I know not that you will find these desultory suggestions of 

 any value. If they should be thought so, it will give me pleas- 

 ure to have contributed, however humblyj to so excellent an ob- 

 ject. 



Respectfully yours, 



GEORGE B. EMERSON. 



To J. W. Proctor. Esq. 



Pembroke, Dec. 2d, 1847. 



Dear Sir : — On the subject of your inquiry, it is not in my 

 power to give so full information as may be desired. My expe- 

 rience in the propagation of forest trees, has been confined chiefly 

 to the pine and birch families, which are best adapted to our 

 soils. The oaks have been planted to a much more limited ex- 

 tent. Acorns should be gathered about the middle of October, 

 and planted immediately ; a few days drying will often prevent 

 them from ever vegetating. In planting, there should be a very 

 light covering with earth. It is believed to be best, to plant on 

 land recently ploughed, and some cultivation among the young 

 trees will greatly promote the growth of them. A man in Bris- 

 tol County, about fifty years ago, planted a field somewhat ex- 



