ECONOMIC TREE-PLANTING. 



BY HON. B. G. NORTHROP. 



Being neither a scientist nor farmer, I have made no origi- 

 nal investigations or practical experiments in forestry. Lest 

 I may seem presumptuous in attempting to instruct others on 

 a great subject in which I am myself a novice, reference is 

 made to my opportunities for learning the matured views of 

 those who, devoting their lives to this study, have made inves- 

 tigations and experiments on a broad scale. Three months 

 of last summer were occupied in visiting the Foresters," 

 forest schools, and forest plantations of Europe. The letter of 

 Governor Hubbard,* and one from Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, Sec- 

 retary of State, bespeaking the cooperation of our ministers 

 and consuls, whose aid might be needed, gave free access to 

 all desired sources of information, especially the official 

 Departments of Forestry," forest schools and their professors, 

 forest plantations, national, communal, or private, and their 

 managers, and the parks and gardens on the Continent and in 

 England. With note-book always in hand, I conferred with 

 numerous authors in this department, as well as practical 

 foresters. Gathering facts from so many experts, and con- 

 densing statements from so many sources, it is impracticable 

 in this address to formally quote their language, which I have 

 freely modified and abridged. In addition to the professors 

 of the forest schools visited, and to many diplomatic agents, I 



* Executive Department, Hartford, Conn., June 12, 1877. 

 I have signed these presents for the purpose of duly accrediting the Hon. 

 B. G. Northrop, of the Board of Education of this State, Avho is commissioned 

 by said Board to visit the Schools of Forestry and Forest Plantations, and the 

 Industrial Schools of Europe, and report the results of his observations for the 

 benefit of the schools and people of this State, and especially to encourage the 

 reclamation of waste lands by the propagation of trees. I beg to commend Mr. 

 Northrop to the courtesies and co-operation of all persons to whom these pres- 

 ents shall come, and particularly to those who are managers of the institutions 

 above named, and are interested therein. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto 

 set my hand. BICHARD D. HUBBARD. 



