216 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



provident portion of the community. Yf liile wc are ready to 

 admit that in many localities the owners of woodlands have 

 learned an important lesson in the practice of a better economy, 

 pertaining to the proper treatment of such lands, we have to 

 lament that in other sections extravagant wastefulness is not yet 

 out of practice. 



Before proceeding with the discussion of this subject, we wish 

 to remark that it is one of such fertility, so suggestive, that we 

 must keep in mind the fact that a book is not to be written, and 

 that it is not necessary, or to be expected, that an extended list 

 of species or varieties will, or must be alluded to in order to 

 accomplish the object for which this paper is prepared. 



If what we write shall lead those possessing forests, to reflect 

 upon, to consider well the subject in all its bearings, and with 

 large-heartedness, let generations yet unborn have a share in 

 . those thoughts, before sending the " wood-chopper," with axe on 

 shoulder, to make an indiscriminate " felling" of wood and tim- 

 ber trees, we shall feel a consciousness that our effort has not 

 been altogether vain and useless. 



We have ho complaint to make for cutting wood in sufficient 

 quantities to supply those with fuel who have it not, and where 

 coal is not obtainable, or if for good reasons it is preferable to 

 the latter named article. Our aim is rather to stimulate persons 

 who are fortunate enough to own wood-lots, to the exercise of 

 judgment, forethought, and discrimination, as to where, when, 

 how much to cut, and what to leave uncut. The acres and 

 scores of acres which may be seen scattered here and there 

 throughout every county in this State, and of all the States, 

 of comparatively barren soil, is the clearest evidence that can be 

 adduced that those qualities of the mind have not always been 

 exercised to their utmost stretch of capacity. 



Two reasons may be assigned why so much thoughtlessness 

 has been manifest in the destruction of the noble forests formerly 

 abounding throughout all New England. 



1st. Its great abundance, both for fuel and for timber, seemed 

 .to the proprietors to render all thoughts and practices of 

 economy on that score nugatory, and time and mind expended 

 for naught. 



2d. It is fair to presume that comparatively few individuals 

 of preceding generations ever dreamed, either while asleep or 



