136 ARBOR DAY. 



Newton with the myriad applications of the force of 

 gravity in mechanics, or Wenzel's ideas of chemical com- 

 binations with the compounds made so useful in the 

 industrial arts through the practical labors of Michael 

 Faraday. 



What these almoners of science are to the health, com- 

 fort, and luxury of home, and to the growth and munifi- 

 cence of commerce, the founder of Arbor Day is to the 

 wealth and enjoyment of the future. 



Prior to 1872 no system of forestry had been attempted 

 in the United States. The spasmodic efforts of tree 

 planting upon a small scale, with very rare exceptions, 

 were attended with the most unsatisfactory results. 



Forests were cut away without system and without 

 thought of future conditions or wants, until it was self- 

 evident that unless some judicious and comprehensive for- 

 est policy was adopted, this continent, once bristling with 

 its primeval forests, would be permanently deprived of an 

 element which constitutes a most important part in the 

 economy of nature. 



Forestry, no less than science, is a development of civil- 

 ization. Colbert was instrumental in preventing the use- 

 less wastes of the forests of the old world, but the honor 

 of bequeathing to future generations an invaluable legacy 

 by the perpetuation of forests was reserved for a philan- 

 thropist of a more advanced age. 



