SECRETARY'S REPORT. 223 



they did look finely, ])iit the pines got the inside of the track, 

 and, where they were not more than a rod apart, in twenty years 

 drove every other tree off. When we learned how the oaks and 

 other trees were disappearing, we went to work and saved some 

 of the smothered growth for fuel. White pine timber trees now 

 monopolize the premises. 



The Pclham gentleman, to whom we have previously alluded, 

 when a boy, went out with a sister to procure a distaff for a foot 

 or linen wheel, and clambered up the sides of a large granite 

 boulder, in order to cut off the top of a small white pine stand- 

 ing by its base, and which they would thus be enabled to reach ; 

 but which they finally concluded to leave unharmed, on account 

 of its beauty, and seek a distaff elsewhere. 



A few weeks' ago the writer saw that tree, and, in his judg- 

 ment, it contains a thousand feet of lumber, and more than a 

 cord of wood. 



We will now refer briefly to another branch of the subject. 

 A man finds himself in possession of ten, twenty or thirty acres 

 of young growing wood, which is all he has, and from which he 

 desires to obtain fuel for family use ; but the growth being too 

 small to cut off clean, he finds himself in a quandary as to the 

 manner of proceeding in the premises. We do not hesitate to 

 recommend the following plan. Begin on one side of the lot ; 

 cut the inferior kinds of trees, if there is variety ; if not, take 

 the poorer and more crowded of the one variety, those which 

 are lagging behind, using discretion as to the amount which may 

 with safety be removed. 



After cutting in as far as is convenient to throw out, go an 

 equal distance further in and clear a track sufficiently w"ide to 

 pass through with horse and sled ; cut and throw up to that 

 passage, and proceed thus as it becomes necessary. By the time 

 the lot has been over in that way, probably it will do to cut clean 

 and secure a renewal from sprouts. Have no fears of damage 

 from clearing paths seven feet wide, which will afford sufficient 

 room for the team indicated. Neither will it harm the trees 

 which are to make the forest to cut side branches from the 

 deciduous kinds, provided the trunks are not scarred in the act 

 of pruning. 



The practice of trimming pine trees is not to be commended, 

 except in the case of dead and decaying branches, and the 



