, 1874-01-14

rule, own no large forests, and we have no
strong central organizations or means OF
enforcing the stringent regulations which
make their system q success. The title
to lands in our older States, where the
evils resulting from the loss of forests are
liable to be first and most severely felt,
has already passed into the hands of indi-
viduaIS and from tho theory of our own
system of government, the power that
must regulate and remedy these evils must
begin with tho people, and not emanate
from a central source. With US there are no
great estates entailed on future generations
to keep together, promising q reasonable
hope Of reward TO tho family for u heavy
investment in their improvement nor is
there a reasonable prospect that the landed
estate of a wealthy citizen will pass I'M
improved and undivided through one
generation Of his descendants. It should
also be remembered that from the peculiar
nature Of forest culture one generation
must plant for another to reap. rs the age
ola fuIl-grown tree very much exceeds
that of human life. The Investment for
land planting and protection must be carried
OltA interest into another century and for the
benefit Of u generation uRb0rA.
0 TO INCREASE AMERICAN FORESTS.
These considerations present u problem
difficult it may be for solution. But [
have confidence tn the ability of our Ameri-
CAN people to work out a practical system
adapted to our social organization and our
general theory of law. We must begin at
the centre,,of power, and that centre is the
circumference. We must make the people
themselves familiar uiM The facts and the ne
c~essiticS Of the ease. 1t must come to be
understood that q tree in q forest planted
is an investment of capital increasing an
nually in value as it grows, like money at
interest, and worth at any time what it has
cost, including the expense Of planting and
the interest which this money would have
earned at the given date. The great
masses of our rural population are land
owners and should be inspired with cor
rect ideas as to the Importance of planting
and preserving trees and taught the profits
Hat mag be derived from planting wastc spots
with timber, anbere nothing else wouH grow
to Advantage. They should learn the in.
creased value of farms which have the
roadsides lined with avenues, of trees, and
should understand the worth of the shelter
which belts of timber afford to fields, and
The general increase of wealth and beauty
which the country would realize from the
united and weII-directed efforts of the
owners of land, in thus enriching and
beautifying their estates.
In this great work of popular education,
agricultural societies and kindred ~aSsocia-
tons may do much by promoting q spirit
of emulation and offering premiums for
the most e%tfectuaI results. In q recent
premium list at the Highland AgricuItu-
raj Society Of Scotland, | noticed that
prizes were offered amounting to 100
sovereigns, in medals and coin, for APP
proved reports upon the subject of tree
culture in its various relations. The ex-
ample is worthy of imitation. The ne
c~essities of European Governments lead
to the establishment of schools of forestry
for instruction in the sciences that find APP
pIication in the growth, preservation, and
removal of timber. About a dozen such
schools exist. The necessity for special
education in this department is sure to
arise in our own country. Our educators
would act wisely in taking this under con-
slderation. SSome enlightened benefactor
could make his name famous bv inauoura-