I 12 



the axe rather than the spade must be employed in its im- 

 provement. 



Mr. Saltonstall has treated the roadsides near his house, 

 and also those of the neighboring turnpike upon which this- 

 by-road opens, in the same park like manner and with the 

 most satisfactory results, by thinning out the natural growth 

 and adding, here and there, maples, pines and other trees 

 and shrubs, the last chiefly laurels and rhododendrons, to 

 complete the desired effect. 



A glance at Mr. Saltonstall' s place and the well-planted 

 estate of Mr. D. P. Ives which is next it on the border of 

 the pond, will prove at once the permanent superiority of 

 the white pine for this soil, for the older trees here are in 

 the finest condition and promise to last for ages to come. 



In conclusion : The lessons to be drawn from Mr. Apple- 

 ton's labors ought to be of the greatest interest to all of the 

 residents of the rural districts of Essex County. There is 

 much land in most of the towns in Essex County and in 

 many cases quite as pleasantly situated as Mr. Appleton's 

 farm, where farming cannot be carried on with profit but 

 where, owing to the same reason, the gravelly soil, the most 

 perfect drainage and other desirable conditions for estab- 

 lishing country homes are secured. The tendency, perhaps 

 inherent in our blood and cropping out as easier circum- 

 stances remove each generation, more and more from the 

 struggle for existence, to seek country homes and to spend 

 an ever increasing portion of each year upon them, is a 

 growing one and no county in New England can offer more 

 advantages than Essex County can to induce this class of 

 settlers to locate within its territory. 



Good air, good water, absolute freedom from malaria, 

 good driving roads and a network of railroads making the 

 business centres easily and quickly reached from almost any 

 point, together with a prudent management in public affairs, 

 with good schools and fine libraries in many places, renders- 

 the rural districts of Essex County the most desirable and 

 delightful pi ice of risidenoe anywhere to be found. 



