44 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



comniittee, and moved tlic appointment of a committee to prepare 

 memorial resolutions. The motion was carried, and the chair ap- 

 pointed as that Committee Mr. Brackett, Warren lleustis, and 

 George Hill. 



Mr. Brackett also moved the appointment of a committee to 

 nominate a snccessor to Mr. Pierce ; which motion was carried, 

 and William II. Spooncr, C. H. B. Breck, and J. I). AV. French 

 were appointed as the Committee. 



Hon. Marshall P. Wilder moved that a committee be appointed 

 to prepare a memorial of the late Henry P. Kidder. The motion 

 was carried, and H. AYeld Fnller, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder and 

 Francis II. Appleton were appointed as the Committee, Mr. Wilder 

 declining to serve as chairman. 



William C. Strong moved that a committee be appointed b^' the 

 President to cooperate with other committees and organizations 

 for the purpose of obtaining more efficient legislation for the plant- 

 ing and protection of forests in Massachusetts, and particularly of 

 the tract known as the Middlesex Fells. The motion was carried, 

 and Charles S. Sargent, William C. Strong, John Robinson, 

 William II. Spooner, and Francis H. Appleton were appointed bj' 

 the President as the Conmiittee, — Mr. Strong being at his own 

 request excused from serving as chairman. 



Adjourned to Saturday, February G. 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 



Forestry. 



By Rev. J. B. IIaukison, Fninklin Falls, N. II. 



The primary thought, when we consider the formation of a 

 forest, is of a vast sponge of vegetable matter which holds back 

 the water falling upon it, and increases the area of swamp grounds. 

 This condition of the soil fornu'rly prevailed in (Jreat Britain, but 

 great changes have attended the advance of civilization, so that 

 there are few areas of this character left, but instead we have a 

 progi'cssive dcHiccation. 



Likewise in this country, when (irsl settled by white men, forests 

 covered tlie whole face of tlic land, and in consequence the streams. 



