7 
had been anchored by some of them penetrating cracks in the 
rock ; otherwise little energy would have been needed to fell it. 
This soil, composed so largely of natural leaf-mould, is annually 
enriched in the autumn by the leaf-fall from oaks, chestnut, birch, 
and the other deciduous trees, and again in the spring by the 
leaves of the hemlock itself, which persist over winter and do not 
fall away to any extent before the new growing season com- 
mences; this is nature’s method of replenishing forest soils, and 
any interference with it jeopardizes the food supply of the trees 
and consequently endangers their health and vigor; they thus ob- 
tain naturally much of their food from their own products of 
previous years, and therefore it is not good practice to rake up 
leaves within the forest. 
And, if I may be permitted to disgress, all natural woodlands 
should be treated in accordance with this policy of let alone. 
Artificial plantations in parks and on lawns cannot always be so 
maintained, from practical considerations, but the food removed 
by taking off fallen leaves should be replaced at intervals by means 
of fertilizers of one kind or another, giving back to the soil those 
chemical substances which the trees and shrubs are annually tak- 
ing from it, otherwise the soil will be impoverished. The vigor- 
ous growth of trees is quite parallel with that of any other crop 
raised on the soil, and no intelligent farmer would permit his 
arm to go long without manure. 
A large part of the Bronx hemlock forest may safely be re- 
garded as primeval, and this consideration is one of the most 
interesting facts connected with it, because tracts of virgin wood- 
are few and far between in the vicinity of New York. 
Doubtless individual trees were cut from it in former times, but 
rever sufficient to prevent its continuance. The Lorillards, who 
held this land for many years before it was taken for park 
Purposes by the city, carefully protected the woodland, and the 
thanks of the present and of future generations are due them for 
=i reservation ; it was evident to the commission in charge of 
Selecting areas for the great park system of the Bronx that this 
Preservation should be continued, and their action in securing this 
and or public enjoyment and instruction was timely, for its in- 
crease in value, due to the northward growth of the city, became 
Bis incentive to the proprietors to realize its monetary value, and it 
Was, indeed, at one time surveyed and laid out for streets and 
oe lots, as is evidenced by the numerous granite monuments 
sie in the ground; a greater misfortune to the city than the 
Trying out of this proposition can scarcely be imagined, and it 
