SECRETARY'S REPORT. 219 



sickly leaves above the surface, is nearly or quite valueless, and 

 to supply these acres with dressing which would cause them to 

 give liberal returns for the outlay, is not practicable, — dressing 

 is not to be found. It follows, then, that the best and most 

 economical method of restoring those waste lands to a fertile 

 state, is to plant such trees thereon as are adapted to the 

 location. 



By so doing, the soil would be improving in quality, while at 

 the same time it is producing something which will be useful in 

 future years. In addition to those two points, the benefits to be 

 derived from improved atmosphere and climate are not to be 

 overlooked. 



If the inquiry is raised, how shall those naked and barren 

 lands 1)0 covered, — planted with trees, — we answer, that if seed 

 is used, follow nature as nearly as practicable in the distribution, 

 or at least in the covering of the same varieties. 



If transplanting young trees is resorted to, use what common 

 sense and practical knowledge you can command. In some 

 instances one, and in some, the other method would be found 

 more advantageous. 



For the light and more barren lands and sandy soils, we 

 would recommend the pitch-pine, and its propagation by sowing 

 the seed, which needs but the slightest covering imaginable. 

 We have ocular evidence, almost daily, as to how readily these 

 seeds will germinate in our old worn-out pastures, in proximity 

 with a seed-producing tree, with no other covering or protection 

 than a scanty coating of herbage. If that hint is not sufficient, 

 use a hoc or other implement ; but, by all means, let the 

 covering be very shallow and light. 



On soils a grade better, where white pine may be grown, we 

 think transplanting may be frequently practised to manifest 

 advantage. In the first place, we frequently see four or five 

 times as many spring up spontaneously as ought to remain on 

 the same space. The plants, when two or three, or even four, 

 feet high, may, with facility, be removed, using a sharp spade in 

 cutting round, and lift them with a ball of earth adhering to the 

 roots. In no case draw them from their native bed without 

 loosening the soil, for pine roots are very tender and will not 

 bear grazing. Plant two to four hundred on an acre, which will 

 be making a liberal allowance for failures and for removals as 



