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rates the dead. Such associations grow in interest from year to 

 year and from generation to generation. It will yield a rich 

 harvest to future generations, if we can now stimulate a revival 

 of arboriculture throughout our State. I confess to a grateful 

 pride in the fact that something in this line has been recently 

 accomplished in nearly every town of Connecticut. If this 

 work is duly extended, our whole State will be transformed 

 into a series of beautiful villages. Nothing can add such a 

 charm to our country roads as long and magnificent avenues of 

 stately trees, 



The benefits that may accrue to our country from the dis- 

 cussion of tree-planting, were strikingly exhibited two hundred 

 and fourteen years ago, when Sir John Evelyn published his 

 celebrated work, entitled, u Sylva ; or, a Discourse on Forest 

 Trees and the Propagation of Timber." It was at once 

 received with great public favor, and honored with royal com- 

 mendation. He had remarkable success in awakening general 

 interest in sylviculture. He was one of the founders of the 

 Koyal Society, and wrote this book at its special request, and 

 that society has originated few books in the last two hundred 

 years more useful than this which still survives in its grand 

 results, although his other works on painting, sculpture, archi- 

 tecture, and medals have long since been forgotten. In many 

 ways England has recognized her great obligations to the man 

 who worked so lovingly and effectively for the good of his 

 countrymen. 



Disraeli, in his u Curiosities of Literature," fittingly says : 

 " Had Evelyn only composed the great work of his Sylva, his 

 name would have excited the gratitude of posterity. The 

 voice of the patriot exults in the dedication to Charles II, pre- 

 fixed to one of the later editions, in which he says : c I need 

 not acquaint your Majesty how many millions of timber trees, 

 besides infinite others, have been planted throughout your vast 

 dominions at the instigation of this work, because your Majesty 

 has been pleased to own it publicly for my encouragement.' 

 Surely, while Britain retains her situation among the nations 

 of Europe, the Sylva of Evelyn will endure with her triumph- 

 ant oaks. It was a retired philosopher who aroused the genius 

 of the nation, and who, casting a prophetic eye towards the 



