THE FOREST INTERESTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 29 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 



The Forest Interests of Massachusetts. 



By William C. Stroxg, Newton Highlands. 



It is a prevailing impression that the climate of Massachusetts 

 has changed since the da3's of its early settlement. Bat it is to be 

 noticed that this impression is vague, and takes form in conflicting 

 opinions, with the changing seasons, as they may chance to be 

 either hot or cold, wet or dry. 



However trivial may seem the value of such fluctuating and con- 

 flicting opinions, it is not to be disputed that certain very material 

 changes, both in the climate and in the soil, have taken place in 

 this State. The descriptions of early writers concur in showing 

 that the country was originall}' covered with a heavy forest growth, 

 from the mountains to the very brink of the sea ; except where in- 

 terrupted by the salt marshes, the meadows along the shores of 

 rivers and ponds, and occasional open upland spaces where the 

 Indians planted their corn. The scouting party sent out from the 

 Mayflower reported even of Cape Cod that it was " all wooded 

 with oaks, pine, sassafras, juniper, birch, holly, vines, some ash, 

 walnut ; the wood for the most part open and without under- 

 wood, fit either to go or ride in." (Mourt's Relation, 1622.) 



In Wood's " New England Prospect, " printed in 1634, the is- 

 lands in Boston Harbor are described as covered with " good tim- 

 ber to repair their weather-beaten ships. Here also may be had 

 masts or yards, being store of such trees as are useful for the same 

 purpose. " 



And in regard to the qualit}' and productiveness of the soil, sim- 

 ilarly enthusiastic descriptions are given. In 1629 Rev. Francis 

 Higgiuson wrote, "The aboundant encrease of corne proves this 

 countrey to bee a wonderment. . . What will you say of two 

 hundred fould and upwards? . . Our turnips, parsnips, and 

 carrots are here, both bigger and sweeter than is ordinary to be 

 found in England." 



In the same 3-ear Master Graves describes the luxuriance of 

 vegetation as follows: — "Thus much I can aflSrme in generall 

 that I never came to a more goodly country in all my life, all 

 things considered. If it hath not at any time been manured and 



