USES OF THE FORESTS. 1 
important. ‘T’his use is closely allied to the last. A tree which 
furnishes a cool shade to the inhabitants of a house, is at the 
Same time and on that account its best ornament. At the sea- 
son when men travel for pleasure, a plain, low, modest house 
with an open grass plot before it, shaded by an oak or an elm, 
speaks more to the feelings and is more beautiful than the 
showiest house unprotected from the sun. The traveller ina 
hot day welcomes every tree on the road side. Even a thin 
fringe of grey birches looks pleasant; and he remembers thank- 
fully the kindness or good taste which has spared, or planted a 
tree with a head broad and thick enough for him to rest under 
and cool himself. 
Trees should be planted not only by dwelling-houses and 
along roads; they should be in every pasture and by watering 
places, and near every barn,—wherever cattle, horses or sheep 
are to be provided for. All these animals suffer from our burn- 
ing sun; and, to say nothing of their enjoyment, the cost of 
shade trees will be many times paid back in the saving of the 
milk, fat, fleece and strength, which will be the consequence of 
their being protected from the heat of the sun. 
6. The importance of the forests as furnishing materials for 
ship-building, house-building, and numerous other arts, is so 
obvious that it must occur to every one; and yet there is dan- 
ger that, in many places, from false views of immediate econ- 
omy, no provision will be made for the wants of future 
generations. It is not easy to estimate the pecuniary value of 
the wood used in house-building. A vast deal of this is con- 
tinually going on; the aspect of the State is annually every 
where improving by the erection of larger, better finished and 
more commodious houses, barns and outhouses. And almost 
all the materials have been, hitherto, except for the sea- 
board towns, furnished by our own woods. But no returns of 
these improvements are published. The thousands of tons of 
timber, boards, clap-boards and shingles, are not put on record. 
It is manifest, however, that the difference against us would 
be great, if we had to look elsewhere for our materials. It is 
indeed very desirable that better taste and more just views of 
economy, should introduce the fashion of building dwelling- 
