Agricultural Society for 1844. 67 



better consult the permanent interests of their children, than by planting 

 trees? Grounds so rough and rocky as to be unfit for tillage, and we have 

 many acres such, can in no way be so profitably improved. In England 

 and Scotland are hundreds of acres of forests now growing, in most thrifty 

 condition, that were planted by the hand of man. Shall not the independ- 

 ent yeomanry of New England, the tenants of their own soil, have equal 

 confidence in the stability of their institutions, and the propriety of pro- 

 viding for the benefit of those who may come after them, as do those who 

 toil to plant where they never can own ? Perhaps the uncertainty of the 

 tenure of our estates, and the still greater uncertainty of the disposition of 

 the rising generation to be willing to follow the humble but honorable 

 occupation of their fathers, has deterred many from venturing upon experi- 

 ments, the benefits of which could not be realized while they lived. Such 

 a policy is short-sighted, and unworthy enlightened citizens. What conse- 

 quence is it whether our acres are inherited by our sons or others, if they 

 are but rightly used ? Does not this jealousy of feeling operate in a manner 

 to alienate the affections from the paternal estate ? Are not the ever chang- 

 ing movements of the age unfavorable to permanent valuable improvements ? 



The cultivation of trees generally, whether for ornament, for fruit, or for 

 timber, is an object that demands much more attention than has been given 

 to it. I have not time to speak as I would like, of the cultivation of fruit 

 trees, — of the increasing attention lately given to the subject,— of the 

 many and valuable varieties of apples, pears, &c., cultivated by our horti- 

 cultural friends in Salem, Lynn, Haverhill, and other towns; — but can 

 simply say, that there is no branch of husbandry that yields a more certain 

 and ample rev/ard, and that the demand for good fruits of every description 

 seems to be in advance of the supply. 



Very early in the history of the Society were facts stated by Dr. Nichols, 

 in relation to the cultivation of the locust tree, highly worthy of regard. 

 Having myself witnessed similar facts, I am fully persuaded that in no way 

 can our barren and gravelly pastures be so advantageously used, as by cov- 

 ering them with the locust, which may readily be done, either by planting 

 the seed, or by here and there transplanting a tree, and allowing them to 

 spread as they are much inclined to do. Lands thus managed I have 

 known to yield posts and rail-road sleepers, that sold for more than one 

 hundred dollars per acre, for ten acres together, within forty years from the 

 first planting, — which during this period had been of more value for pastur- 

 ing in consequence of the trees growing thereon. For it is a fact, that the 

 feed, both in quantity and quality, under and about the locust tree, is better 

 than where there are no trees. Take into view also the increasing demand 

 for this kind of timber, for rail-roads, fencing, trunnels for ships, and other 

 purposes, and the rapidity of its growth, advancing so rapidly that those 

 who plant may gather, and it will not be easy to find an object more worthy 

 the attention of the owners of such unproductive lands. 



Suppose our farmers should set out rows of the locust, the sugar maple, 

 the ash, the elm, or the larch, by the borders of their fields, by their pasture 

 fences, or by the road side,— and in this way start a growing from fifty to 



