228 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



as a rule, scrupulously cared for ; but succeeding generations 

 found the forests' of great pecuniary value, and they were cut 

 away as if they were the product of a season instead of cen- 

 turies. The result is that thousands of acres of lands that 

 were once covered with forest trees, are now comparatively 

 unproductive. 



We have many acres that never have produced, and, in the 

 nature of their situation, never can produce, any crop but 

 forest trees, that will return any profit to their owners. 



Trees that are indigenous to the soil and climate of the 

 State, are so abundant, and some kinds introduced from 

 foreign countries grow and thrive so well, that there seems 

 to be nothing but encouragement for owners of waste lands to 

 plant trees. 



An abundant supply of forest trees is essential to the pros- 

 perity and wealth of every civilized community. The forests 

 have contributed more material for the rapid construction of 

 buildings, both in country and town, than was ever obtained 

 from other sources. Our productive industries are so largely 

 dependent upon wood in their large and varied manufactures, 

 that its scarcity should be guarded against, and the supply 

 made equal to the demand. 



The home supply is not now, nor has it been for many 

 years, equal to the amount annually used in the State. We 

 obtain our lumber, of almost every description, from distant 

 forests, and they are yearly growing more distant, and the 

 lumber more costly, owing to expensive freights, which are 

 the legitimate result of long transportation. 



Nature seems to have wisely intended and adapted trees 

 and soils for the best results, but trees often grow and thrive 

 in soil naturally most congenial to their growth ; there is 

 comparatively a very small area of land in the State upon 

 which some of the forest trees will not thrive. 



The time has come when the price of lumber will justify 

 the planting of forest trees as a legitimate and profitable busi- 

 ness. On many lands in the State trees spring up spontane- 

 ously, and on rich lands their growth is very rapid ; but upon 

 the poorer lands artificial means for the propagation of forests 

 should be used. Our useful forest trees have seldom received 

 the care which is given to fruit trees, and have seldom been 



