198 ENCOURAGEMENT BY STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



of the locality, in the hope of finding- some that might be found es- 

 pecially suited for cultivation, and for arriving at the best results in 

 their management. In these premiums the highest importance should 

 he attached to the greatest number, if for a single species, or the great- 

 est variety, if on an experiment of acclimatization. In some of the West- 

 ern States, followiug the example set by Nebraska, an " Arbor Day " has 

 been designated, which is well so far as it brings a good result ; but 

 above all, we should avoid the error of limiting the 'premiums to the 

 planting of one day ; they should always be open for the season, allow- 

 ing the competitors to choose their time, as best suited the weatber and 

 their own convenience. The appointed day might be stormy, or might 

 be otherwise unfavorable, and the liability of injury from keeping young 

 trees in readiness for the day would often result in losses that might be 

 avoided by immediate planting as soon as received. Moreover if the 

 competition in planting extended through many days, instead of being 

 restricted to one, a vastly greater result would be accomplished. 



In the payment of premiums, of course the result should be assured 

 by time, and the prizes should go to those who showed the greatest number 

 of living and promising trees at the end of at least two years. All ap- 

 plicants for premiums should report their methods of management, and 

 the best of these should be published. 



In experimenting upon a new species, it is quite important that we 

 know concerning the failures as well as the measure of success, since 

 these may hinder others from engaging in an unprofitable enterprise. 

 Premiums should be arranged so as to interest theyoung in the planting 

 and care of trees. Early impressions are long, remembered, and tbus 

 imparted, they may carry their influence through lite, and be handed 

 down to generations beyond. Prizes might be given for displays of 

 forest products at public fairs, and to best essays on management. If 

 ladies can be interested in these competitive enterprises as applied to 

 ornamental planting and home adornment, a decided benefit will be se- 

 cured. A display of the beautiful on the lawn, may excite emulation in 

 others, and a spirit of improvement is created and diflused, the refined 

 appreciation thus awakened, extending to tree-culture generally. 



2. A State may encourage forest-planting by exempting from taxation 

 for a specified time, such cleared lands as may be planted in forest, or by 

 exempting such property from extra valuation by reason of forest planting. 

 It may also encourage planting along the highways, by allowing deduc- 

 tions to be made from highway taxes, or by direct allowance of money, 

 according to number of trees planted, assurances of success being first 

 had. 



3. It is worth considering whether the State may not properly impose 

 a tree-tax analogous to road-taxes, to be satisfied by the planting of trees 

 along the highways, or by the payment of money to be expended in secur- 

 ing their planting. This in certain cases might be justified under the 

 right of eminent domain, by which the government may require a thing 

 to be done where the public welfare demands it. Instances of this 

 appear, in cases where a belt of woodland is needed to intercept the 

 malaria of a swanip, or to arrest drifting sands, or to prevent eroding 

 torrents. Such local benefits should be placed under the control of the 

 local municipalities most affected by them. Of course where the owner 

 of lands is thus Required to do, oris i>reveuted from doing, any act that 

 may involve expense, or may lessen values, for the sake of the public 

 good, he should be reasonably paid by those who receive the benefit, 

 whether it accrues to a town, a city, a county, or tlie State. 



4. There can be no doubt but that a great demand upon our forests 



