FOREST TREES. 117 



autumn following, and found them in vigorous and healthy con- 

 dition; plants sufficiently numerous, varying from three to 

 twelve inches in licight. 



On the 8th of August, 1850, the following observations were 

 made by the committee, upon Dr. Nichols' plantation. " Field 

 rude, rough, and briery. Plants varying from one to four feet 

 in height. The English oaks are much ahead of the American, 

 averaging twice the height. The trees stand in hills about five 

 feet apart, numbering about three thousand on the lot. Early 

 in the season, the earth was stirred about the trees, and vacant 

 spaces were supplied by transplanting from hills that contained 

 more than one ; many of those thus moved have failed to grow. 

 Between the hills, nature has had full possession, and black- 

 berry and other vines abound, with here and there a bunch of 

 birches or a stray poplar. Some of the English oaks have 

 started ahead at least two feet, the present season." 



On the 1st of September, 1851, the following observations 

 were made on the same plantation. " The trees vary from six 

 inches to six feet in height. Most of them are between one 

 and two feet high. Many of them have a vigorous, healthy 

 aspect. Their advance, as a whole, does not come up to our 

 expectations. The Doctor said if they had not grown, it was 

 their own fault — as he had done nothing to prevent their grow- 

 ing; — and we may add, he has done little to aid their growth, 

 since the first year. Seven-eighths of the young trees that 

 were first observed in the hills, are still living, — many of them 

 so involved in vines and grass as to demand searching obser- 

 vation to distinguish them. The English oaks show the best 

 growth, the yellow and black oaks the next, and the white oaks 

 stand in the third class for progress." 



On the 24th of September, 1852, the following observations 

 were made : '^ The trees have been permitted to progress in 

 their own way the present season, without any culture what- 

 ever. The ground became covered with birches, briers, grass- 

 es, &c., without limit. A few days ago, all the birches, briers, 

 &c., were cut, and the earth was stirred about the young oaks to 

 the diameter of one foot, consequently their position was easily 

 distinguished. They vary in height from six inches to six feet; 



