126 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



of the earth. With arms extended skyward, trees receive upon 

 their innumerable points the electric fluid of the overcharged 

 cloud, and convey it harmlessly through every fibre of their 

 organization, to the earth beneath. Thus, while invigorating 

 themselves by imbibing this vital principle, this propelling force, 

 they deprive the atmosphere of its retentive power, and cause it 

 to dispense its moisture in refreshing showers and fertilizing 

 dews on forest, field and flower. 



These are some of the ofiices which in the vast economy of 

 nature, have been committed to our shade and ornamental 

 trees, our orchards, our groves and forests to perform. Other 

 services of perhaps equal value, but to which we have not time 

 to allude, they certainly discharge. 



This labor then of planting and growing trees commends 

 itself to every consideration of worldly policy, and to the noblest 

 sentiments of our nature, to the close calculation of temporal 

 interest, and to that inborn faculty of the human mind, to 

 appreciate the picturesque and beautiful, which can never be 

 eradicated. 



Every individual who plants a tree becomes thereby a 

 benefactor. He thus adds one to the number of these grandest 

 productions of the vegetable kingdom, to that loyal army of 

 defenders, which, with its ensigns waving in every breeze, its 

 banners ever unfurled, constitutes in an important sense, our 

 protection and defence. In every tree we fell, we strike down 

 a faithful sentinel, which without fee or reward, by night and 

 by day, through sunshine and storm, is ever at its post, 

 protecting us from the scorching heat of summer, the chilling 

 blasts of winter ; challenging every approach of wind or storm, 

 saying, thus far and no farther shalt thou come, and here shall 

 a portion of thy fury be staid. 



We desire to impress upon all the expediency of giving more 

 attention to this subject. Upon every young man about entering 

 upon the more responsible duties of life ; to assume those high 

 trusts, those sacred obligations pertaining to the family and the 

 home, we would urge the policy of planting trees. After 

 securing a good title to your land, appropriate the first few 

 dollars at your command to stocking a portion of it with a 

 carefully selected assortment of fruit and ornamental trees. 

 You thereby increase its value, you contribute to its attractive- 



