92 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



but our carpenters now are not so particular. The American 

 larch, commonly called tamarack or hackmatack, found growing 

 in low moist situations was valueless until railroad ties and tele- 

 graph poles grew scarce, and then they found immediate value, 

 now having largely disappeared. Hickory, commonly called wal- 

 nut in New Englanfl, was the only wood thought suitable for tools, 

 ax handles, whiffletrees, etc., but go on the market and sec what 

 are being substituted in its place; of course, our tools do not last 

 as long as formerly. Were there time it could be shown that 

 each and every kind of wood has special qualities that adapt it for 

 specific usefulness. The more we advance in the commercial 

 industries and manufacture we continue to discover new economic 

 uses for all of our raw materials and products. There is not a 

 species of wood grown at present but has a recognized standard of 

 value. The time has come when simply the growing of cord wood 

 in most sections of Massachusetts is a promising financial crop; 

 particularly is this true where the burning of brick is an important 

 industry. 



We as a commonwealth are at an extremely interesting stage at 

 the present time as regards our forestry problem. It is not only 

 true of Massachusetts but of New England, and for that matter 

 the whole country to a greater or less extent,. 



As long as the prices of forest products remained low we laughed 

 at the idea of forest depletion. Experience is a wise teacher and 

 although the histories of older countries point out very clearly the 

 mistakes they have made, their errors are seldom heeded in a new 

 country until many of the same experiences have resulted. 



When our forefathers came to these shores New England was a 

 vast wilderness, a primeval forest. We are told of the magnificent 

 forests and how individual trees reached great proportions through- 

 out this whole section. Even the decaying stumps still extant 

 remind us that but yesterday in point of time these monarchs of 

 the forest which had been growing for centuries Avere with us. 

 Tomorrow forest trees producing over a thousand feet board mea- 

 sure will be a veritable cin'iosity. W^e country loving and public 

 spirited people arc extremely anxious that the nation reserve cer- 

 tain portions of the White INIountains and the Southern Appalachian 

 range, that coming generations may enjoy, take pride in, and benefit 



