No. 4.] EEPORT OF SECRETARY. xvii 



The supplying of these spikes was begun in December, 

 1891, and the records of this office show that since that date 

 there have been supplied approximately 8,000 3\ inch large 

 spikes, 31,000 3^ inch small spikes, 119,000 2| inch spikes 

 and 107,000 2^ inch spikes, 265,000 in all, with accompany- 

 ing washers. These spikes and washers were sent to 6 cities 

 and 127 towns. 



Tree wardens elected under the law of 1899 have in a 

 number of instances called upon this office for interpretation 

 of the law or for advice as to what they should do or should 

 not do in the performance of their duties. AVithout doul)t 

 some help has been given such inquirers, but, as the law 

 referred to did not originate with this Board, and the Board 

 is not mentioned in the law, the position of this office has 

 been somewhat conservative. These requests came no doubt 

 largely because it has been the duty of this office to fur- 

 nish M-spikes. 



Forestry and Roadside Improvement. 



Our Board has its committee on forestry, roads and road- 

 side improvements. This is perhaps at the present time one 

 of the most important committees of the Board. The con- 

 dition in which the laws on this sul)ject are now found to be 

 by the decision of the Attorney-General demands a careful 

 revision in the form of a new law, and the questions are 

 many and important. It requires the best thought and 

 study to frame a law that shall preserve the beauty without 

 being oppressive and that shall protect the wayside owner 

 from injustice. We all recognize that there is a money 

 value in wayside improvement, and to enhance this we want 

 a law that shall generally receive the co-operation of the 

 wayside owners. Again, is it wise that the tree warden 

 shall be the autocrat, or should there be an appeal to the 

 higher authority of the selectmen in towns, the parks or 

 street commissioner in cities ? 



Perhaps the owner is artistic in his ideas, and delights in 

 irregular grouping and vistas. The tree warden is of a 

 mathematical, methodical turn of mind, and with him certain 

 respectable trees set at equal distances and on exact lines, 

 and pruned of nature's negligence, is beauty. How can two 



