16 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



But it may be inquired, if all this land is to lie waste, like 

 the hunting grounds of Great Britain, and not to be used for 

 any agricultural purposes ? I answer, that, even if it were 

 so, they would be no less useful and profitable to the com- 

 munity. A forest for the preservation of birds, and other 

 wild animals, is becoming absolutely necessary, though it 

 could be made to serve no other intention. As a place for 

 healthful recreation, and for the pursuits of natural history, 

 it would fully compensate for the consequent sacrifice of agri- 

 cultural space. But there is no reason why it might not, 

 consistently with its designs, be used within certain moderate 

 limits to afford pasture to flocks and herds. These animals, 

 always picturesque, would afford an agreeable appendage to 

 the landscape, and, by proper care, would not interfere with 

 the growth of indigenous plants. In this way, taste and 

 profit might be made to go hand in hand, and the pursuits of 

 natural history, and the enjoyment of rural recreation, be 

 made subservient both to the interests of man, and to the 

 preservation of the inferior animals. 



No part of these grounds should be devoted to any orna- 

 mental purpose, nor to the cultivation of exotics, save those 

 which are already naturalized, and would grow spontaneously 

 after being planted. On the other hand, I would introduce 

 into their proper localities all the trees and other plants of our 

 own climate, that the place might afford complete facilities to 

 the student of botany. A catalogue of the most important 

 plants, with an index to their locations, might be kept in the 

 house of the superintendent. 



The life of every creature, with the exception of certain 

 offensive animals, should be held sacred within the limits of 

 these grounds. It should be considered a misdemeanor to 

 kill a bird or a squirrel, or any other inoffensive animal that 

 made its dwelling here. On this account, the more extensive 

 the grounds the better, as they would afford proportionally a 

 better asylum to the dumb creatures which are on all sides 

 persecuted by man. It may be thought that these animals 

 need no such protection. Birds, it may be 5 aid, are as com- 

 mon in the thickly settled countries of Europe as they are in 



