The Arboretum. o9 



the first effort to protect an old and beautiful tree, rather 

 than lay the axe at the root ; and the next, to plant out 

 where before no trace of vegetation existed. It was not to 

 be expected of the earlier settlers of the country, that they 

 should regard their hasty destruction of woods and forests, 

 as of any importance : a wild and picturesque country, 

 abounding in noble specimens of vegetation, spread out before 

 them ; but self-preservation and the necessities of life, com- 

 pelled them to view with little interest a stately tree or a 

 beautiful shrub. These are objects which come later, when 

 the increase of wealth and the cultivation of taste shall 

 demand, not only plantations of our native trees, but seek 

 among those of other climes for such as possess either gran- 

 deur, or beauty. 



A tree is a noble object, whether we view it in spring, 

 when it puts forth its buds — in summer, when in its full 

 vigor of foliage — in autumn, with its varied hues — or in 

 winter, when it spreads out its leafless arms — each and all 

 of these seasons have their charms. The earliest knowledge 

 we have of trees is derived from the Bible, where we learn 

 that Solomon planted orchards of fruit trees, — of trees bear- 

 ing spices, and of the cedar and other trees. The Romans 

 carried their love of trees so far as to make them " the very 

 temples of their gods," and Pliny observes, that " we our- 

 selves adore, not with mere reverence and devotion, the 

 stately images of gods within our temples, (though made of 

 glittering gold and beautiful ivory,) than the very groves 

 and tufts of trees where we worship the same gods in reli- 

 gious silence." The oak was consecrated to Jupiter, the 

 laurel to Apollo, the olive to Minerva, the myrtle to Venus, 

 and the poplar to Hercules. {Ai'b. Brit. p. 19.) 



The importance of trees and shrubs, both to comfort and 

 civilization, is too often overlooked. Without them, we could 

 neither have houses nor build ships — neither furniture nor 

 machines of commerce. They offer the material for almost 

 every art and manufacture ; and in tropical countries the 

 fruits are as essential to the natives, as wheat and roots are 

 to those of temperate regions. They are useful for their 

 influence upon climate ; for the protection they afford from 

 winds, and for the preservation and improvement of soils. 



