34 
THE NATIVE TREES OF RHODE ISLAND. 
success in such work. The first is that of the late Zachariah 
Allen, which was begun in 1820, and the Dr. and Cr. account 
closed in 1877, a period of fifty-seven years. Mr. Allen selected 
for his tree-planting experiment, a tract of forty acres of worn-out 
pasture land, upon a bleak hill-side, in Smithfield. He planted 
on this land various forest tree seeds. All expenses, including 
valuation of the land, up to 1877, were $3,804.33. The total in- 
come, including wood left on the lot, was $6,348.06. Gain, $2,- 
543.23— equal to 6 T W per cent, per annum on the original invest- 
ment for fifty-seven years. This gives no credit for improvement 
to the land nor for the benefit rendered in conserving the rain 
and snow fall for springs and streams. There are lessons of value 
in the thoughtful experiment of Mr. Allen. 
The other example, now in progress, is that of Mr. Henry G. Rus- 
sell, whose landed estate occupies a large tract along the western 
shore of Potowomut Neck, Greenwich Bay. His work is of public 
value as showing that sterile and wind-swept lands may, in a few 
years, be converted into reaches of vigorous forest growth, attrac- 
tive to the eye, and of sure money value for timber and fuel. Mr. 
Russell’s plantations were begun in the spring of 1877, and, year 
by year, have been extended, until now about two hundred acres 
are thus occupied, on the western borders of his estate. 
The land was without a soil, and composed of sand, gravel, and 
pebbles of an ancient shore, utterly worthless for cultivation. This 
strip of land was an “ eye-sore,” in full view from his residence, 
which over-looks, in other directions, a beautiful park, shaded by 
grand old oaks of original growth, and other choice trees of recent 
planting. This work in sylviculture has wrought a remarkable 
change. There are now acres of the European larch, of the earlier 
planting, which are large trees. One might soon get lost in the 
woods among them. There are blocks of white pine of sturdy 
growth. Rows of Scotch and other evergreens appear as one 
walks through the grounds. Various sorts have been under ex- 
periment. The white oak often appears, among the others, as a 
u standard,” to take the ground by and by. 
