REPORTS, &C. 



REPORT ON FOREST TREES. 



The Committee on Forest Trees regret that no competitors have 

 appeared to claim the premium offered by the Society. Notwith- 

 standing the liberal action of the State in relation to this subject, 

 the publication of Mr. Emerson's report and of numerous essays, 

 of late, upon the importance and profit of forest planting, there 

 does not appear to be any newly awakened action among the farmers 

 of Massachusetts. The acorns still fall unheeded from the few oaks 

 which remain, the pine cones still open themselves upon their boughs, 

 the wind blowing them where it listeth, the cattle are still allowed 

 to gain a scanty and hard subsistence by grazing over lands that na- 

 ture plants, but plants in vain. Shall this continue ? In the hope, 

 though almost a forlorn one, of arousing attention among the farm- 

 ers of Essex, upon this interesting matter, we propose to say a few 

 words about planting trees, or more properly speaking, making tim- 

 ber plantations from the seed. 



We have not the space allowed us to enable us to descant upon 

 the pleasurable satisfaction to be taken in seeing one's trees growing 

 from year to year, adding new beauty to our estate, nor to enlarge 

 upon the inward content that fills the breast, as we behold woods of 

 our own planting springing up around us, for which those who suc- 

 ceed us will bless our memories, and which may afibrd the most pure 

 and unalloyed enjoyment to generations yet unborn. We shall con- 

 fine ourselves to the subject as a mere matter of thrift, and we shall 

 speak of a tree only in the light which the Laird of Dumbiedikes 

 viewed it. "Jock, Avhen ye hae nae thing else to do, ye maybe aye 

 sticking in a tree ; it will be growing, Jock, when ye're sleeping." 

 Before proceeding, however, more minutely with those considerations 

 which we hope will induce some few to attempt forest planting, we 

 wish to notice, and if possible, to overcome the^ objection that is al- 

 ways foremost, Avhen we press tree planting upon the notice of our 

 friends and neighbors. It is an objection more deeply felt than ex- 



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