PEEFACE 



In the ensuing pages I have made simple 

 inquiries into the sources of beauty and at- 

 tractiveness in American forest trees and 

 sylvan scenery. In the concluding chapter, 

 by way of contrast, I have given a short ac- 

 count of the esthetic effects of the artificial 

 forests of Europe. The system which shaped 

 these forests and gave them their present ap- 

 pearance should, however, possess more than 

 a comparative interest for Americans. It 

 has, in fact, a further connection, though a 

 slight one, with the subject, and therefore 

 requires a few words of explanation. 



It is well known that in many parts of 

 Europe the forests have long been subjected 

 to a systematic treatment known as forestry. 

 The term, at first strange, is gradually be- 

 coming quite familiar to us Americans, for 

 the application of this comparatively new 

 science has already begun in many sections 



