114 



"comparatively worthless for employment in the arts, and 

 only supplies, after years of struggling growth, an inferior 

 fuel." 



The reason why the yeomen of Essex County have not 

 more generally planted forest trees was probably correctly 

 stated by a prominent member and officer of the Agricul- 

 tural Society, Col. J. W. Proctor, in the practical annual 

 address delivered by him in 1844. Said he: '^ Perhaps 

 the uncertainty of the tenure of our estates, and the still 

 greater uncertainty of the disposition of the rising gener- 

 ation to be willing to follow the humble but honorable occu- 

 pation of their fathers, has determined many from ventur- 

 ing upon experiments, the benefits of which could not be 

 realized while they lived. 



It is true, that there is a wide interval of time between 

 the sprouting acorn and the stern-post of a ship, and now 

 that vessels are built of iron, it may no longer be advisable 

 to cultivate the slow growing oaks. But Chestnut trees 

 grow rapidly, and soon declare profitable annual dividends 

 of nuts, while the locust-trees not only furnish a continuous 

 supply of durable posts, but their leaves enrich the feed all 

 about them. It will soon pay any farmer who owns hilly 

 pasture land, to plant small patches here and there of 

 chestnuts and locusts, fencing them to keep the cattle away 

 from the young trees. 



The Essex County Agricultural Society has wisely offered 

 premiums, in late years, for the best lots of "Ornamental 

 trees, ten or more, set on any street, road or farm, and 

 cared for during five years. It is almost incredible that 

 this year, there was but one competitor for this premium. 



The committee on Forest Trees found but one entry for 

 the plantation premium, and one entry for the best lot of 

 ornamental trees — both made by J. D. W. French, of North 

 Andover. A majority of the committee visited Mr. French, 

 and examined his trees, which are described, with the man- 



