1893.] ESSAYS. 91 



,many sections of our State ; and we all recognize their usefulness, and 

 admire their beauty as the water flows from them in gentle streams, 

 winding perchance beneath tall trees, or between belts of shrubbery, 

 until finally united with the larger water-courses. Is not this a pict- 

 ure of results that can be made to come from planting, and indeed 

 from planting that can be done gradually from year to year, if sys- 

 tematically planned, so as not to interfere with the general necessary 

 work ; and where it is deemed wisest not to employ extra labor in 

 order to secure its earlier accomplishments. 



As to the profit to be derived from planting with forest trees for 

 commercial purposes, we should not base our calculation upon the 

 prices of to-day, but upon the probable prices in the future when the 

 crop will become marketable ; at which time, to all appearance, there 

 will be a much greater scarcity of forest products than now. It has 

 been said that land which can be bought for a few dollars an acre is 

 the only land where it is warrantable, in a commercial view, to plant 

 forest trees ; and that seems to be an aspect of the question which 

 the advocates of forest planting in Massachusetts must meet. But 

 by embellishing portions of our land, secured when prices are low, 

 with woods intelligently cared for during a period of years, can we 

 not have, in a reasonably short time, ornamental forests in the neigh- 

 borhood of large cities, and near our towns, where the citizens can 

 find agreeable resting places in their spare hours ; with drives and 

 walks well sheltered with foliage during the season when the days are 

 longest, and the hours for pastime, and without business occupation, 

 are most numerous? Often lands that are partially planted by nature 

 can be secured, on which the existing growths may be guided, while 

 new ornamental trees are added — these being so planted as to secure 

 that improved effect and enhanced beauty which a wise mixing of dif- 

 ferent varieties must create. 



No better bequest can the present generation leave to the next than 

 well planted city and town grounds. It must be the best appearing 

 towns, as well as the towns that can show the best financial manage- 

 ment, that will take the lead in the future ; and a combination of 

 these two good points will to a very large extent, joined with the 

 quality of roads and the character of the transportation facilities, de- 

 cide for the citizen where he shall make his home. 



How can we further aid in bringing about the general home embel- 

 lishment of which we have spoken? It must be chiefly by increasing 

 and promoting a love for the beautiful, and by fostering a desire to 

 understand the process of formation and growth of our fine trees, 



