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expected he will, on his Indian corn, his grass and root crops, with 

 other field produce, for his Hving and business. He cannot afford 

 " to serve " two " such masters ;" one or the other must receive 

 his chief service. All this reasoning does not apply to arboricul- 

 ture ; and a well-regulated farm, now-a-days, seems to look to- 

 wards the artificial rearing of forest trees, as well as towards their 

 protection for the future increase of its value. In some sections 

 of Massachusetts, forest-tree planting, I am sure, would be very 

 important ; and in every instance there are valuable species of 

 such trees, which could be readily introduced without any great 

 outlay of cost or trouble. 



Then, again, our State, indeed all New England, may be con- 

 sidered as peculiarly fortunate in the general adaptedness of 

 climate to the growth of forest trees. Some of the finest kinds, 

 native to Europe, stand our winters perfectly, and grow with vigor. 

 But where circumstances or want of availabilities incline any one 

 against the raising of foreign species, the immediate vicinity may 

 afford sufficient variety. It is my intention to specify some such 

 as could be rendered both ornamental and useful to the most ordi- 

 nary farming purposes and to the most varied soils. 



Massachusetts farms may be divided into four or five great 

 divisions of the soils found upon them. These may be thus stated, 

 viz. : — 



1st. Light sandy soils. 



2d. Gravelly or thin soils. 



3d. Rocky soils, much broken by ledges. 



4th. Boggy or peat meadow soils. 



5th. Stiff" clayey, loamy soils. 



On these different soils particular kinds of forest trees thrive 

 best. Observation can easily point out ways for using all these to 

 the best advantage for artificial plantings. Often Avhat were 

 once timber or wood lands have become, by accident or misman- 

 agement, sterile and unproductive ; and for such places this plant- 

 ing of trees might be prudent as well as wise. It is no uncommon 

 thing to find on the same farm acres of " good for nothing " 

 land, but still capable of becoming good for something. A little 

 extra attention to these may turn them to some valuable account. 



Besides this, a little thought should be spent on the dwelling- 

 house and barn, on the cattle-yards, pig-styes, and other surround- 

 ings, to get the greatest amount of comfort from one's farm. 

 This observation is trite in the general, so prudent in these par- 

 ticulars have good farmers become. But I make it in this con- 

 nection as bearing on the topic of my essay. Trees make the 

 homestead more attractive, and help much to its comfort. Indeed, 

 what is more attractive to the eye, what more refreshing to weary 

 limbs, what could be more pleasant to declining years, what more 

 salubrious to young children than fine shade trees, shrubbery, 



