iv Preface. 



the smaller illustrations of Botanical species are from an 

 English work, entitled "Woodland Gleanings," and those 

 showing defects in timber, in part from Laslett's " Timber- 

 Trees." Three or four are from Dupuis' "Arbres d' Orne- 

 ment" and his " Coniferes de Pleine Terre," and the 

 sketches of western conifers and other species, are from 

 Prof. J. S. Dewberry's Report, embraced in Vol. VI, of 

 the "Pacific Railroad Surveys." The remainder are from 

 the author's first Report upon Forestry, presented in 1877, 

 and published by order of Congress, except some small 

 sketches drawn for the present work. 



Wherever the language of an author has been quoted, 

 the citations given will generally lead to more extended 

 information, and in the absence of references, it is believed 

 that the facts and principles here presented will generally 

 be found such as are supported by approved experience 

 and well established observation. 



Although many special works upon planting, arbori- 

 culture, botanical descriptions, and other subjects relating 

 to particular departments of Forestry have been issued, at 

 various times, this is, so far as we know, the first attempt 

 to present, in our language, and in one volume, the sub- 

 ject of Forestry in the comprehensive sense that we have 

 defined it. It would have been much easier to do this in 

 a larger volume, and it was often found a difficult task to 

 condense into the space that could be allowed to the several 

 divisions of the subject, all that it was desirable to present 

 concerning it. We have endeavored to adapt this work 

 to the want of students in Forestry, whether in the class- 

 rooms of an institution, or engaged in practical labors; 

 and it has been our special aim to present information that 

 is applicable to our own country, and to those regions 

 where tree-planting is most needed, and often most diffi- 

 cult. If it is found to meet this intention, our object will 

 be attained. 



WASHINGTON, July 1, 1882. 



