CHAPTER II. 



THE MISSION OF THE CONIFERS. 



In the economy of a kind Providence these trees stand 

 well to the front among our benefactors. The wonder Is that 

 men do not surround themselves with these faithful sentinels 

 which In great armies, would stand guard around their homes, 

 defending them from the fierce storms and Icy blasts. 



Evergreens bring the freshness and beauty of summer Into 

 the dreariness of winter. For mingling of color the green and 

 the white form the most beautiful blending. I was once In 

 the heart of the Rockies when a great snow storm fell the 

 last of August. The green branches were laden with the purest 

 white. Above, the sky was of the deepest blue. The sun shone 

 out in his splendor. .Whichever way we turned there was the 

 harmonious blending and it seemed as if we were riding through 

 an enchanted land. The snow crystals were sparkling in the 

 light. Every tree, large or small, was wrapped In Its mantle 

 of richest ermine. 



What an Important part our evergreen forests have played 

 In the building of a great nation. The apparent Intent of these 

 trees seems to be, first beauty, and then use. First, the tree 

 Is a pyramid of green, the branches pushing outward as the 

 main stem aspires upward. Then in after years It loses Its low- 

 er branches and gives Its attention to developing the trunk. 



While visiting the home of Professor Sargent, who has giv- 

 en us that monumental work on the "Sylva of North America," 

 and walking in his beautiful grounds he said to me: "I am 

 disgusted with most of our evergreens. They will not hold 

 their lower limbs. The Picea Pungens is a disappointment. 

 The Norway Spruce and White Pines will lose their branches. 

 They are unsatisfactory. I want a tree that will retain its 

 branches down to old age and be a great pyramid of green." I 

 replied, "Professor, a tree seems endowed with a, sense of 

 beauty and forethought. First comes beauty. We all know 

 that a young evergreen is one of the most charming of trees. 

 The next stage Is usefulness. Its ultimate destiny is a sawlog. 

 It seems endowed with a conscience as if it knew its mission 

 and wanted to be faithful to it. All along its history It Is In- 

 tent to please and benefit." 



The marvel Is that when these might be raised by the mil- 



