The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-25

cation Is indicated by the point he has at
tanned In the cultivation OF those pro-
ducts Of the soil which supply the
means OF subsistence. He first culti-
Yates few cereals and roots; next
the fruits which he finds growing wild
10 an imperfectly developed form, but
susceptible OF such Improvement by cuiii.
walton as to minister largely to the comfort
and enjoyment OF his existence. But II Is
not Till the highest stages OF civilization are
reached, and the native supplies OF timber
for Its innumerabIe demands are becoming
exhausted. that he adopts systematic and
| scientific process OF tree.culture. The older
nations OF Europe have long since been
forced by their necessities TO the adoption
OF stringent measures for the preserya.
tion OF forests and for careful instruc-
tion In all that pertains to their
growth and development. But we as a
nation, in spite OF the warnings which
have been given us for years past by wise
and far-seeing individuals, have gone on
recklessly and improvidently destroying
and even exporting and selling to other ma
tions the forest treasures which Nature has
supplied without making any provision for
their preservation. development, or re-
newal-verifying the adage OF Franklin,
that experience Keeps dear school, but
fools will learn In no otber."
We have now reached the point, however,
when the consciousness OF impending dam
ger has become so widely awakened that
thoughtful men everywhere are urging the
adoption OF measures OF prevention, and
especially are demanding the establishment
OF schools OF forestry, In which instruction
may be given in an art OF which 1t may be
said that practically we are still in state OF
barbarous ignorance. The regions you are
about opening to the world contain perhaps
the richest native supply OF hard timber
still eXtant east Of the Mississippi, and
throughout the whole OF that forest region
the supply is susceptible OF very large in
crease by proper development and culture.
There is hardly an acre Of it on which a
large number OF trees now Standing, and
which il left to themselves would never at.
tain size to fit them for anything but fuel,
might not be developed by proper treatment
into valuable timber.
What nobler use, then, could be devised
for portion OF the tract under cODsidera-
ton than devoting 1t to practical and Illus
trative instruction in forestry?
Tree.culture for purposes OF ornamental
tion could appropriately be illustrated in
the groves and fields ieserved for purposes
OF recreation, but tree.culture for timber is
very different process, and might be dis.
played in all its stages, and would un-
doubtediy constitute to a large portion OF
the visitors one Of the most interesting
features Of the place.
Nurseries could be established for the
growth of young trees, and the best and
most economical modes Of planting and cul-
ture Of artificial forests could in few years
be shown in their different stages; while
large areas OF standing wood might be Sc
lected and used as schools OF practical in.
struction in the proper methods OF thinning,
pruning, and culture. to insure the best de-
velOpment OF the greatest possible number
OF trees for uses as timber. 1t Is obvious
that these areas would in time become in
themselves valuable sources OF revenue,
but the intrinsic value Of their material
products would be Insignificant in compari-
son with their worth to the State and nation
in the means they would afford for inslruc.
ton in the development Of one OF its most
important sources OF wealth. The areas
devoted TO such uses would appropriately
form portion OF grounds which at all
times would be open to public inspection,
and would form one OF the most attractive
features OF the domain, to which / dislike
to apply the term "park," because that
word has acquired conventional meaning
comprising the use OF such artificial deco
rations as would in this case be entirely in-
appropriate. Very respectfully yours,
II. W. s. CLEVELAND.