VARIOUS USES OF WOOD. 229 



subjected to any great change from their natural condition and 

 growth. They rarely receive, outside of the nursery, either in 

 forests or grounds, artificial manuring for the purpose of stim- 

 ulating rapid growth and early maturity. They are, however, 

 equally benefited by liberal cultivation, as are other crops, 

 and amply repay by rapid growth. It has been found that 

 forest trees, when planted under the most favorable circum- 

 stances, will attain double the height and diameter of trunk 

 in a few years of those uncared for. 



It will require time to induce owners of land to plant trees 

 for the benefit of future generations ; but no farmer can afford 

 to hold unproductive lands, subject to annual taxation, and 

 although the growth will not pay the owner a semi-annual 

 dividend, still, if forest trees are cared for as other crops, the 

 annual growth for a term of years will re urn a larger 

 per cent, than do many of the lands now used for farming 

 purposes. 



There are but few soils in which some of the many kinds 

 of trees indigenous to our climate will not grow and thrive. 

 In some portions of the State forest trees have been exten- 

 sively planted, and have grown with profitable results on lands 

 that were comparatively unproductive, and many individuals 

 have lived to gather the harvest who little expected to do so 

 at the time the trees were planted. 



'From boyhood we have been interested in the planting and 

 cultivation of trees ; they have added to our enjoyment for the 

 past forty years more than any other branch of agriculture. 

 They are always present, and in their variety some are enjoy- 

 able every day throughout the year. 



Each variety of trees has its distinct symmetry and shape, 

 and the wood of each is especially adapted to some important 

 use. For timber to be used for building purposes, the chest- 

 nut, spruce, larch and hemlock are good ; the larch, perhaps, 

 growing most rapidly. 



The oak, ash, walnut, elm and bass are used largely in the 

 manufacture of carts, wagons and carriages ; the pines fur- 

 nish the best plank and boards ; cedar is extensively used for 

 shingles ; while the maples, butternut and black walnut are 

 adapted to the use of the cabinet-maker and inside finish of 

 our buildings. 



