1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 265 



should be exercised as to choosing kinds of trees, and it has 

 been found safest to use the kinds which are native to 

 the locality of the plantation ; but where there are, for good 

 reasons, any doubts as to the best varieties, the opinion of 

 the most competent authorities within reach should be 

 obtained. It must be remembered, with our postal-card 

 system, long distances are greatly shortened, and thereby 

 advice can be secured from the best sources, independent 

 of distance. 



We have now in this country men who, having grown up 

 and been educated here, have since been students in the for- 

 estry schools of countries where the enforcement of forestry 

 laws has bscome a necessity, and who are capable of exam- 

 ining and giving us intelligent instruction and advice upon 

 how Massachusetts, as a State, or by her people individually, 

 can best care for her thirty-six per cent and more of wood- 

 land, and her unused open lands. 



It is recommended that the Legislature appropriate a sum 

 sufficient to have such an experienced man inspect our 

 woodlands, and then report, as early as possible, directly to 

 either the Legislature or to the Board of Agriculture, or to 

 the people by lectures, at such times and places as may be 

 decided ; and also appropriate a sum sufficient to distribute 

 a limited number of seedling trees or seeds in different parts 

 of the State, as an experiment, under direction of the Board 

 of Agriculture ; but only where a guarantee is given that the 

 work will be well done and the plantation receive due care. 

 A, report to be required of all cases at intervals. 



If this Board deems the course which is suggested advis- 

 able, and are ready to give it their hearty support, should 

 the Legislature think well enough of it to pass it, I, for one, 

 hope the suggestions will be adopted, for I believe in them ; 

 but, without the ready co-operation of this Board so far as 

 it might be asked, to help carry out the plan, it would fail 

 largely of its purpose. 



The following is presented, in conclusion : — 



The State Board of Agriculture, in reply to the order received 

 from the House of Representatives on Feb. 5, 1890, respectfully 

 submit that part of an address which relates to the subject of 

 woodlands, forestry, etc., and would suggest, — 



