40 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICLXTUEAL SOCIETY. 



awakened in the public mind in regard to the depletion of our 

 forests may be regarded as a sufficient apology for inviting j'our 

 attention to the topic announced. 



Some one has estimated that no less than 100,000 acres of wood 

 and timber lands mnst be cleared daily to supply the demand for 

 fuel and for the A'arious industries of the country, to say nothing of 

 the vast amount that is annually destroyed by forest fires and 

 decay. This demand would necessitate the yearly cutting of 

 31. "200. 000 acres, an area somewhat larger than the State of New 

 York. From this fact we are in a measure enabled to comprehend 

 with what rapidity our forests are disappearing. 



If the removal of the forests changes the meteorological condi- 

 tions of a country, or if the amount of rainfall in a given territory 

 is in some degi'ee proportional to the area covered by forest, the sub- 

 ject assumes an importance which cannot well be overrated. I think 

 it is stated that Prussia, relying on the correctness of this hypoth- 

 esis, requires, by legislative enactment, that for every tree felled 

 two shall be planted. While the Legislature is powerless to stay 

 the axe of the woodman, it might yet do much to encourage the 

 planting of forest trees, and might thus in some degree avert the 

 evil consequences which must surely attend the final or even partial 

 destruction of the native forest. 



Pasturing exhausted soils, or cropping them with rye, yields 

 but a poor return ; and nothing has a more demoralizing effect on 

 an agricultural community than the cultivation of large areas 

 with very small profits. There are thousands of acres in Massa- 

 chusetts which really yield no profit to the cultivator, but which, 

 if planted with AYhite Pines, at a triflingexpense. would pay a rea- 

 sonable rate of interest on the investment : and this planting would 

 speedily convert large areas of unproductive land in Eastern 

 Massachusetts into delightful groves, adding a positive beauty to 

 the landscape and forming a source of wealth to the community. 



I have spoken of the White Pine (Pinus strobus) because I 

 regard it as best adapted to our climate, and to the soil of most of 

 our waste lands. A soil in which the AYhite Oak flourishes will 

 produce grass ; and a soil that suits the Chestnut will grow grain ; 

 but the White Pine not only grows rapidly on land apparentl}' 

 destitute of all plant food, but actually enriches the soil on which 

 it grows. 



I am aware that this tree cannot be successfully grown on lands 

 near the seaboard, and would urge for such localities the planting 



