32 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



for cultiviition, ami wliicli should be judiciousl}' planted with trees 

 adapted to the situations in which liicy are placed. Such trees, 

 wisely phiuted and cared for, would in time vield a better return 

 than could otherwise be obtained from the soil, while at the same 

 time this growth would confer an important benelit uiion the sur- 

 rounding country. * 



I need not dwell upon the influences of forests. You all recog- 

 nize their protection as wind-breaks, the fertilizing effect of their 

 shade and annual deposits upon the soil ; their power of detaining the 

 rainfall for a slower descent into the streams ; their radiation 

 of heat in winter, and absorption of it in summer, and other like 

 benelicent influences. At our last meeting Vice-President Smith 

 mentioned that his thermometer was always a few degrees higher 

 than his neighbors', stating also that there were a few evergreen 

 trees not far away, which he presumed had some modifying effect. 

 In a deep forest we do not need the aid of a thermometer to notice 

 that the modifying effect is very great. 



But if the effect of forests is so beneficent, and if, withal, they 

 are profitable, why then are they not more generally planted? 



We have time only in the briefest way to state a few prominent 

 reasons. 



First. With most land-owners, this is an untried industry ; the 

 processes of planting and of culture are unknown; examples of 

 success are wauling. 



Second. The danger from forest fires is serious ; the risk deters 

 in many cases. 



Third. The benefits of forests extend to adjoining regions, but 

 the cost is borne only b}' the planter. 



Fourth. But, chiefly, the si)irit of the age is against such long 

 investments. 



The main discouragement lies in the last mentioned con- 

 sideration. 



There are a few noteworthy exami)les of gentlemen of wealth 

 who take pride in the permanent improvement of their estates, and 

 who can well atlord to disregard early returns. But these eases 

 are comparatively few. The bulk of our land does not remain in 

 families from generation to generation, like the entailed estates of 

 the old world. Tiie tendency is to make real estate, like all other 

 property, easily transferable and available for present use. 

 Hence an investment which defers adequate returns for a score or 



