PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 483 



prodigal use of fuel, must soon be realized in the advanced 

 prices of fuel and lumber as our railroads become more numer- 

 ous and extensive, and our population more dense. 



There are thousands of acres of barren fields in this county 

 that have been rendered sterile by the parsimonious policy of 

 miserly cultivators, that might in a few years be converted into 

 vigorous forests, at a trifling expense, and how much better for 

 the proprietors thus to appropriate them, than longer try to 

 encourage the poor, jaded soil, in her abortive attempts to pro- 

 duce vegetables and grain, aye, tlian longer pursue this suicidal 

 policy; better, by far, abandon them to chance, that the favor- 

 ing gales of heaven may waft to their bosoms some fructify- 

 ing seed, whiph, germinating, would in time produce a forest. 



" What is your age?" was the interrogatory which an eastern 

 prince caused to be put by one of his attendants, to a very old 

 man seated by the wayside. "I'm four years old," was the 

 reply. "Do you intend to insult his majesty?" was the re- 

 joinder. "No, may it please your majesty, it is but four years 

 since I began to live as I ought for posterity, — since I planted 

 a treeT According to this definition of living for posterity, 

 but comparatively few of our countrymen have begun yet to 

 live ; for instead of planting, their study and occupation has 

 been to destroy trees. But every consideration of interest and 

 comfort admonish us to change our habits in this respect, and 

 to provide in time for the wants of posterity. 



The planting of forests and ornamental grounds has long 

 been practised in Europe, particularly in Great Britain, where 

 it is sedulously encouraged by statesmen as well as landholders. 

 It has contributed much to beautify the country as well as to 

 improve the productiveness and profit of the soil. Some idea 

 of the extent to which it is carried may be formed from the 

 fact that the Duke of Bedford, alone, has, in seven years, planted 

 upon his estate no less than one thousand five hundred and 

 forty acres of ground with five million seven hundred and 

 thirty-five thousand trees, exclusive of six hundred and eighty 

 bushels of acorns, and other seed put in with the dibble. 



The business of planting forest trees, like the culture of any 

 other new branch of rural economy, seems much more for- 

 midable and expensive in prospect, than it turns out to be in 



