222 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



what a consumption there is of it, and what 

 a number of trees must have been cut down ; 

 and besides, you know, there are millions and 

 millions of feet of pine boards exported every 

 year to Europe and the West Indies. Then 

 most of the bridges in the United States are 

 made of it ; and all the doors nearly ; and 

 looking-glass frames are made of white pine, 

 too, because it takes gilding so well ; and, in 

 short, there is no end to the uses made of it." 



" Why, Uncle Philip, I should think that 

 the whole country would have been cleared 

 of it by this time, if such vast quantities are 

 used."' 



"It is disappearing very fast: a hundred 

 years ago, the United States were almost 

 covered with white pines ; and now we have 

 to go far into the interior for them : in a hun- 

 dred years more, they will be scarce enough, 

 I dare say." 



"Uncle Philip, it must be a great deal of 

 trouble to bring such large trees any great 

 distance ; I cannot think how they can carry 

 them." 



" Well, I can tell you ; in every part of our 

 country there are rivers, all running towards 

 the sea j and you must have observed that all 



