ON FOREST TREES. 79 



through you to propose a prize to be offered by the association under 

 their rules of one hundred dollars, the money to be furnished by me, for 

 the best plantation of oaks of not less than one acre ; the prevailing 

 species to consist of the white and the black or yellow oak, to be 

 grown from the acorn planted this autumn or in the spring. On 

 land not now under tillage or in mowing. The prize to be awarded 

 in 1852, and the money in the meantime to be placed at interest for 

 the benefit of the successful competitor. Notice to be given by each 

 person intending to compete for the prize, stating the locality of the 

 land, that it may be viewed and registered. 



I name a small sum, and a small piece of Land, in order to bring it 

 within reach of every farmer's son whose father has — and what farm- 

 er has not ? an acre of idle and unprofitable land. It will require 

 no great expenditure of time, and no money to enable any person to 

 plant out an acre, and the advantage to the person so doing, would 

 far exceed the labor bestowed, even if an unsuccesful competitor. 

 Should there be ten or more entries for this year, I pledge myself to 

 renew the prize for the next ten years, upon the same terms. 

 With much regard. 



Very truly Yours. 



RICHARD S. FAY. 



P. S. I had intended to furnish some rules to be observed in ma- 

 king oak plantations, but they are so conflicting as laid down by dif- 

 ferent planters, that I have concluded it will be best for every one to 

 follow out their own ideas upon the subject, referring them however 

 to Emerson on Trees, Shrubs, &c., for some rules extracted from 

 London's great work. I cannot help cautioning against planting the 

 acorn too deep, an inch in depth is enough for any of our native 

 acorns. R. S. F. 



To B. T. Reed, Esq., 



Boston, Nov. 6, 184T. 

 Dear Sir: — It gives me great pleasure to learn, from your favor 

 of the third, that an interest has begun to be felt in the cultivation 

 of the best of our forest trees. Mr. Fay is taking the right course 



