125 



The amelioration of a soil by the moisture of the atmosphere, 

 comes within the limits of Agricultural Science, and every one 

 who in his way and in his own method, contributes to intro- 

 duce the subject in a reasonable, economical and profitable 

 point of view, is benefiting more than the area of his experi- 

 ments and labors. 



In conclusion, satisfied that your claimant is entitled to the 

 respectful consideration of the Society, I award to him the first 

 premium for the planting of Forest Trees. 



John L. Russell — of the Committee on Forest Trees, 



STATEMENT OF E. G. KELLEY. 



In presenting the following Statement on the planting and 

 culture of Forest Trees, we offer all the varieties, and many 

 more in number, in the aggregate, than are required for the 

 premium instituted by the late lamented Mr. Fay. It may be 

 supposed that Mr. Fay intended more especially to encourage 

 the planting of large forests as in England. But so diverse 

 are the conditions of the two countries, that extensive planta- 

 tions, if merely for timber, will seldom be undertaken here. 



Other considerations and designs of no less utility, such as 

 protection, renovation, and even ornament — for all forest trees 

 may be called ornamental — should doubtless come under the 

 same head. Nor should the natural or accidental disposition 

 of trees be a sine qua non, though more gratifying to the sight 

 than the staid and often regular rows of the artificial forests 

 abroad. 



The location and planting of trees for other objects than 

 piere wood is therefore desirable, while their growth and culti- 

 vation should be something more than the usual custom of ne- 

 glect. With these preliminaries— of suggestions for the Com- 

 mittee rather than intended Influences — we submit our opera- 

 tions and arrangements. 



We commenced about twelve years ago by setting out a row 



