INTRODUCTION. 



In past ages of the world's history the cultivation and planting of trees 

 was more generally the work of Nature, than the art of man as an 

 arboriculturist, and even in our country it is but of a comparatively 

 recent date that the art of tree culture has received much more atten- 

 tion from us than our forefathers Avere in the habit of bestowing upon 

 it. Doubtless, there have been, in past times, nay, even in our own 

 day, there are, many counteracting influences at work which have much 

 retarded the progressive development of arboriculture as compared 

 with the kindred arts agriculture and horticulture ; but capital and 

 knowledge, acted upon by perseverance, can, and eventually Avill, do 

 for forestry, what has already been done for farming and gardening ; 

 for it is a good omen, in this utilitarian age of ours, when most trans- 

 actions are regulated and finally perfected or exploded by the all- 

 powerful influence of that phenomenon, — the three magical letters 

 L. S. D. and when Iron versus Wood is so engrossing the national 

 mind, that such old saws as : — "The planter of trees benefits not him- 

 self but his posterity," or : — " Tree planting is not profitable ; " are 

 one after another being consigned to the limbo of the past ; and all 

 antiquated prejudices and rule-of-thumb forestry are now fast making 

 way for practical arboriculture. 



Yes, Britain, great thou art, yet, far greater shalt thou be, in that 

 happy day, when thou canst show the nations of the world, and their 

 culturist, that such of thy lands as are capable of, and required for 

 growing food for man and animals are so employed, and such as can be 

 appropriated shall be covered with good and profitable crops of Firs, and 

 Pines, and other woodland verdure ; adding much to thy national wealth, 

 health, and happiness, and the natural beauty of thy sea-girt isles : 

 and when the noble Stag, the beautiful Pheasant, the leaping Hare, the 

 moorland Grouse, the pretty Partridge, the lowland Snipe, the much- 

 prized Woodcock, the jovial Blackcock, the plump Greyhen, and the, 



B 



