WN WN Yip typ thy S SS AN SS \ VQ NS Or RRAAHHVHH SS KG AQ RAK CAN Zz — Ye S \ Nk : : of PEW 5 NN AN . TRAV SH RS RN . =e Se SN SS VAN . AQQ NN AN LH WOH QQ WV . \\ NY \ \S ans \ * QQ IK SX QW . WS XX RAN \ \ NS AS WS SN RAG AA \ \\ ~Y \ YY \ AN NV Ci GLEE tity Ye, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, Poet | +. 1 Chap." Copyright Da. | Shelf 2.28.6 UNITED STATES OF soTERIcA. | Pais Wat aaa sie: oar *- ra ye bolae 4 ae TREES AND TREE-PLANTING BY f GEN, JAMES 8, BRISBIN, U.S.A. 7 } 4 el > MAY 7 gino Werv bo Aw SD NEW YORK HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE 1888 ry, Copyright, 1888, by Harper & Broruers. ee AU rights reserved. - q - * s ee Spterss bg * y CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. FOREST DESTRUCTION. Effect of Forest Destruction upon a Country.—Effects Produced in Europe and Asia.—The Ancient Habitableness of those Regions Contrasted with Modern Barrenness and Unproductiveness.—For- ests as an Essential to Industry and Comfort.—Dependence of Man- kind on Wood.—A Consideration for Future Wants.—Telling Re- sults of the Wilful Waste of the Atlantic States Forests.—Manner of Meeting the Question of Wholesale Destruction.—System of Forest Management in France and Germany.—The Unprotected State of American Forests generally.—The Forest Regions of the Northwest, and a Suggestion for their Preservation........ Page 1 CHAPTER II. CONSEQUENCES OF FOREST DESTRUCTION. The Wasteful Havoc of Forest-lands, and its Serious Consequences.— The Indifference Manifested towards Remedying the Evil. — The Action of Public Corporations on Forest-lands.—The Efforts of Dr. Drake to Protect Forests.—The Evil:Consequences of Non-atten- tion.—Probable Date of a Timber Famine in the United States.— The Inherited Duties of Americans. — The Destined Uses of Nat- ure’s Growth.—Fencing and Railroad Interests as a Means of For- est Destruction.—Annual Destruction and Replacement Contrasted. see eye NA CCCRSATIOS So ius nic Ga we Vis vn og Su.e' dns weed cncee. 6 CHAPTER III. EFFECT OF FORESTS ON A COUNTRY. The Effect of Trees on Humidity, Evaporation, Rainfall, and Prevail- ing Winds. — Nebraska’s Generous Labor in Behalf of the Repro- duction of Trees, and her Reward. — Humidifying Influence of the Pacific Winds on Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.—The Humidity of Forests, to What Due.—The Theory of Condensation in Connection vl CONTENTS. with Trees. — Evil Results of Forest Destruction in Santa Cruz. — The Serious Results of Forest Destruction to Manufacturing Indus- tries. — The Tree-planting of Lower Egypt and Consequent Rain- fall.—Moisture Distribution of Kansas and Nebraska, to What Due. — The Agricultural Benefits Derived from:Tree-planting in Aus- tralia. — The Australian Desert’s Reclamation Possible. —'The De- struction of Forest-lands for Agricultural Purposes in the United States. — Decrease of Lumber Supply and its Increasing Value. — Precautionary Measures Discussed... 2... . 0.605 os peta Page 11 CHAPTER IV. DANGER OF TIMBER FAMINE. Convincing Proofs of the Approach of a Timber Famine.—Manufac- ture of Charcoal in New England, and Quantities of Wood An- nually Consumed thereby.— The Destruction of Forests on the Tittabawassee and Cass Rivers Illustrated. —The Immensity of For- est Destruction in Nevada.—A Prediction of Nevada’s Future.. 17 CHAPTER V. DESTROYING THE REDWOOD. A Description of the Redwood Forests.—Lumbering Operations in the Redwood Forests in Detail.—The Advantages of Skilled Axemen in Lumbering Operations.—The Axeman’s Efficiency in Time of War.—The Mill Machinery, of What Consisting.—Process of Pre- paring the Timber.—Immense- sized Trees. — Average Yield of Sawed Stuff per Acre. —The Forest Soil Described. — Depth of Root of the Redwood-tree, to What Due.—A Reasonable Expla- nation.—Great Age of the Redwood-tree.—Manner of Growth and General Appearance.—Experiences of the Log Camp.—Redwood hoeeing in California. 2.5. 0350. oosas. eos ae ee ee 20 CHAPTER VI. FAMOUS TREES OF THE WORLD. The Forest World and Human Life Compared.—Remarkable-sized Trees, Where Found.—The Largest and Oldest Specimens in the World.—Adanson’s Experience of the Age of Trees.—‘‘ The Afri- can Baobab,” ‘‘ Californian Pine,” ‘‘ American Cypress,” ‘‘ The Tree Shelter of Cortez,” ‘‘ The Chestnut-tree of Mount Etna,” ‘‘ The Babylonian Tree,” ‘‘ The Wiirtemberg Linden-tree,” ‘‘ The Ancient Oaks of England,” ‘‘The Old Walnut-tree of the Balkans,” ‘‘ The Banyan-tree of Ceylon,” ‘‘ The Ancient Cedar Forest of Lebanon,” ‘The Feathery Cocoanut and Fan-like Palmyra of India,” ‘‘ The Date-tree,” ‘‘ American Trees of Historic Fame,” ‘‘ The Walnut- tree,” ‘‘ The Soap Plant of California,” ‘‘ The Mulberry-tree,” ‘‘ The Jonesia Asika” and ‘‘ The Tamala of India,” ‘‘ The Shakespearian Mulberry,” “The Wadsworth Oak of New York,” “‘ The Live-oaks CONTENTS. Vil of Florida,” and the Grand Oaks of Europe variously and separate- ly Described.—The Oriental appa: Proverb.—A Quotation from ER MEE Em be Satte ae beh oes eg ee re Page 27 CHAPTER VII. THE OLDEST TIMBER IN THE WORLD. Where Found, and Uses to which Put.—Its Present Preserved Condi- tion and Sacred History.—The Ancient Trees of America, Where Found.—Petrified Relics.—Evidences of Ancient Tree-growth in Nevada.—Indian Tradition on the Tree-growth of Nevada.—Car- CE AWE MEUM oa) esa ods See Soke Sos vie sa aeeeee. 30 CHAPTER VIII. THE BEAUTY OF TREES. _ Their Varieties of Feature and Form and Diversity of Character.— The Attributes of Trees.—The Essential Condition of Beauty in Trees.—Beauty of Forest Retreats.—The Forest Enjoyments and Joyous Inhabitants. — Individual and Collective Beautifying of Drees, Hew Wreahized: i aacee ea es EPC Pewee iy 4S 37 CHAPTER IX. INFLUENCE OF TREES ON CLIMATE. Forest Resources of India.—Formation and Development of the For- est Service of India.—Utility of Indian Forests, of What Con- sisting.—Traces of Flooded Areas.— Decrease of Stream in Pun- jab Rivers, to What Due.—The Temperature of Russia, How Af- fected by Forest Destruction.—Difficulty of Replanting Trees in Russia.—A Striking Illustration of a Forest-denuded Country.— Khanate of Bokhara.—Its Fertility Now and Thirty Years ago Contrasted. — Bavarian Observations.— Ascertained Influence of Forests on Climate, Relative Moisture, Fertility, and Healthful- ness, with Illustrations. — The Distribution of Rainfall and For- ests of the United States.—Serious Discoveries in the United States in Connection with Forest Destruction.— An Unpleasant Future Prospect.—Industrious Prosperity of the United States, How Threat- ened. — Saying of Dr. Hayes and How it Concerns the United OU SRI SES gS ee eS PA ES RRnG” 0 et ss aA 41 CHAPTER X. WARMTH OF TREES IN WINTER AND COOLNESS IN SUMMER. Temperature of Trees.—Their Winter Warmth and Summer Cool- ness.—Differences of Temperature of Different Trees Illustrated.— Heat-producing Property of Trees Exemplified.—Local Heating Influence of Forests.—The Additional Property of Evergreens.— aera alan CRO ore ok. sho 5 Some Sk scdrainis 's waste ea chee Raeles 45 Viii CONTENTS. CHAPTER XI. THE BLOOD OF TREES. Experiments in Connection with the Circulation of Sap in Trees.— Variety of Sap-exuding Trees.—Non Sap-yielding Species.—The Influence of Climate on Flow of Sap.—Composition of Sap, to What Due. — Distinctive Characteristics of Sap-yielding Trees Demon- strated.—Effect of the Temperature of Soil and Atmosphere on Sap- flow.—Principal Ingredients of Sap.—Daily Meteorological Obser- vations and What they Prove.—Explanations on the Alternations of Sap-flow.—The Observations of Biot and Nevins, and What they Determine.—The Opinion of Mr. Hubbard Confirmed by Experi- ments.—The Absorbent Power of Roots.—Development of Leaf and Flower, How Influenced, and Origin of their Vitality..Page 47 CHAPTER XII. SHELTER-BELTS. Vegetable Need of Protection Illustrated. — Observed Fallacies and Reasonable Contradictions.—Laws of Heat Radiation Demonstrated. —Nightly Atmospheric Heating.—Condition and Elevation of Air Favorable to Vegetable Life.-— Atmospheric Vapor, How Supplied. — The Benefits of Transpiration of Forests. — Observations in Europe, and What they Prove.—A Conclusion Established.—Ad- duced Facts.—Motion of the Atmosphere.—Liquid and Aerial Mo- tion Contrasted. — Aerial Motion Illustrated. — Protective Systems and their Controlling Influences.—Experienced Facts versus Theo- ry.—A Study for the Orchardist and Farmer.—Experienced Testi- mony onthe Influence of Shelter-Belis..... 5.2... Bese 54 CHAPTER XIIL. KINDS OF TREES TO PLANT. The White, Blue, Black, Green, Red, and European Ashes.—Their Growth, Usefulness, and Manner of Culture. —Climate and Soil best Suited to their Growth.— Distinguishing Traits and Proper- ties of Varieties.—The Mountain Ash.—Its Deportment, Uses, and Manner of Propagating.—Its Enemies.—The American Flowering paket WIPSCEIDEH, . oo. enka coma nu aniline Jaca ee ene nena enee 63 CHAPTER XIV. THE WALNUT. Its Culture, Usefulness, and Productiveness.—Value of the Walnut as a Crop.—Seed per Acre.—Its Nativity.—Traces of its Antiquity and Introduction into Europe.—Recognized Roman Varieties and their Names. —Its Modern Cultivation and Increased Varieties. —The Black Walnut.— Where Found, Attainable Size, and At- tendant Features.— The Butternut.— Climate best Suited to its CONTENTS. 1x Growth.—General Qualities. —Its Medicinal Properties. —The Eng- lish Walnut.—Its Cultivation, Distinguishing Properties, and Fruit- PRMMI aca ee ky Saw cae sa clive babe e ds we Sass Page 70 CHAPTER XY. THE MAPLES. The Sugar Maple: its Productiveness, Peculiarities of Growth, Foli- age, and Manner of Culture.-—A Proposition Worthy of Note.— Placing Maple-groves with Respect to Shelter—The Advantages of Regular Planting. — Thrift of Trees when Transplanted from Dense Thickets.—Preferable Transplants.—Timber and Fuel Qual- ities of Maple.—Its Ornamental Standard.—The Chief Uses of Ma- ple.—Peculiarity of its Seed.— Soil best Adapted to its Growth. — The Soft Maple: its Wild and Cultivated Thrift, Manner of Planting, and Uses.—The Red Maple: Range of Growth, Na- tive Home and Standard Timber, and other Qualities.—The Ash- leaved Maple: its Uses, Growth, and Ornamental Advantages.— The Striped Maple: Where Found, Growth, and Ornament.—The Norway Maple: its Advantages. —'The Large and Round-leaved Pilee eerieean ly APesCret 2 aad ae eee Bowes teh oleae 74 CHAPTER XVI. THE ELMS. The White Elm.—Its Usefulness-and Demand.—Growth and Attain- ment.—Elms, How Planted.—Additional Cropping of Area.—Re- sistance against Insects.—Its Use as a Shade-tree.—The Elm as De- scribed by Michaux.—Its Ancient and Modern Popularity.—Soil Suited to its Growth.—Effect of Crowded Planting on its Appear- ance. —Its Ornamental Usefulness. —'The Corky White Elm. — Its Distinguishing Features. —Its Additional Name. — The Wa- hoo, or Winged Elm.—Its Distinguishing Growth and Scarcity. —Uses to which Put.—Its Medicinal Properties.—The Red Elm. —Its Relative Kindred.—Elevated Home.—Its Growth and Useful- ness.—Soil Suited to its Growth.—Durability of its Wood.—The Uses of Small Specimens.—Its Enemies and Objections........ 82 CHAPTER XVII. THE LOCUST. The Honey-Locust.—Where Found and Convenient Usefulness.— Its Growth and Value.—Locust-wood as Pavement.—An Exceptional Specimen.—Uses of the Thorny and Thoruless Varieties, and their Characteristics.— Distinguishing Variety Features.—Its Resisting Properties to Destructive Agencies.—Experience of Mr. Helme on Locust-planting.—Manner of Sowing its Seed for Hedge.—Manner of Transplanting Explained.—Its Usefulness as a Wind-break.— x CONTENTS. Successful Hedge-growing Experiments. —The Water-Locust. — Its Growth.—General Characteristics Compared with the Honey- Locust.—Where Found and Soil Suitable to its Growth.—The Yel- low and Common Locust variously Described.—The Rose-filowered Preeti Described. Fo 2654 d's ena. ve wins oe ti sw nnd ale win eee nd prea Page 85 CHAPTER XVIII. THE CHESTNUT. A Favorable Notice. —Its Remunerative Returns.—Manner of Setting Out and Caring For.—Benefits of Cutting Back.—Ground Suited to its Growth.—A Difficulty of its Raising.—Manner of Sowing its Seed.—Winter Preservation of Plants—Time to Transplant.—A Release from a Difficulty.—Chestnut-planting in Nevada, and Pro- ductiveness.—Growth of the Chestnut in North Carolina, and its Great Growth in Europe.—An Old Tree and its Productive Bear- ing.—Uses of Chestnut Wood.—Its Durability. —The Chincapin.— Where Found.— Quality of its Fruit.— Durability of Wood.— Its Growih Influenced: by Climate... 5 64.5. e's oes nie sis 5 aera ae 90 CHAPTER XIX. THE BOX-ELDER. Its Nativity.—Range of Growth and Soil Suited to its Growth.—Gen- eral Appearance and Duration of Life.—Description of its Wood, Bark, and Leaf.— Large Specimens, Where Found. — Manner of Sowing its Seed.—A Suggestion by Michaux.—Date of Introduc- tion into Europe.—Attained Betis. so. en's oa eh od ee 93 CHAPTER XX. THE BIRCH. The Canoe-Birch.—Its Romantic and Legendary Connections.— Y outh- ful Reminiscences.—Its Native Home and Attainable Dimensions. —Color and Use of its Bark.—European and American Birch.— Their Growth.—Advantages of Dense Sowing.—Its Value as Fuel. —Characteristics.—Seed, Where Obtained.—Soil Suited to its Pro- duction.—Black Birch.—Its Usual Height.—Its Wood Described. — Where Found.— Seed, when Ripe.— Yellow Birch.—Where it Thrives.—Height and General Characteristics. —The Red Birch.— Its Proportions. —Its Climate. —Seed, when Ripe. —The White Birch.—Its Insignificance.—Its Only Virtue........-.....++6- 95 CHAPTER XXI. THE HICKORY. Its Favored Emblematic Character—Productive Qualities. —Manner of Planting for Fruit and for Wood.—The Shellbark Hickory.— Its Features, Form, and Character.—Its Twofold Merits. — The CONTENTS. Xi Thick Shellbark Hickory.— General Characteristics.— Quality of its Fruit—Composition of Leaf.—Pignut Hickory.—Its Size, At- tainable. Height, and Particular Qualities.—Quality of its Fruit, and for What Used.—The Mocker Nut.—Attainable Height and Size.—Manner of Growth.—Its Fruit Described.—Distinguishing Characteristics.—Probable Reason of its Name.—The Pecan Nut. —Its Attainable Height.—Quality of its Wood and Fruit.—Gen- eral Appearance and Productiveness.—The Bitter-Nut Hickory.— Its Associate Trees.— Where Found and Progressive Decrease.—Its Perea 0S OPSIPUCIONL So cn os apn is boone sce oes eatin ces Page 97 CHAPTER XXII. THE PINES. Their Rank among Trees.— Uses to Which Put. — Produce of the Pine. — Places Famous for its Growth. —Its Ornamental Advan- tages.—The White Pine.—Its Attainable Height and Size.—Scar- city of the Pine in New England and Other States, and Cause. —Present Supply, from Where Procured.— Future Prospects of Pineries.—Its Accommodating Growth.—Soil Suited to its Growth. —Effect of Varied Soils on Quality of its Wood.—An Objection to its Ornamental Qualities.—Properties of its Wood as Fuel.— A Suggestion on Planting the Pine.—The Red Pine.—Its Nativ- ity.—Attainable Height.—Soil Suited to its Growth.—General Ap. pearance. — Durability and Quality of its Wood. —Its Beautify- ing Advantages.—Experienced Difficulties of Raising.—Practised Roguery in Selling Seed— Gray and Scrub Pine.—Its Diffused Range of Growth and Attainable Size. — For What Used and for What Recommended.—Its Advantages for Ornamental Purposes.— Its Easy Culture. —The Yellow Pine: Where Found.— Its Sub- stituted Name. —Peculiarities of its Growth. — Soil Suited to its Abundant Growth. —Its Good Qualities and Chief Uses. — Pitch Pine.—Its Confined Range of Growth.—Soil Suited to its Growth, and its Attainable Height. —Its Particular Properties. —Its Chief Uses. —Its Undesirable Peculiarities. —Stone Pine. — Where Found.—Chief Uses and Adaptability.—Properties of its Seed and Durability of its Wood.—Reason of its Non-extensive Cultivation. —Loblolly Pine: Its Disadvantages and General Uselessness. — Scotch Pine.—Its Relative Merits Compared with the White Pine. —Its Usefulness and Recommended Culture. — Austrian Pine: as Recommended by Bryant, Loudon, and Bayreuth. — Where Found-—Purpose for which Cultivated.—Its Durability and Other Advantages.—Scrub Pine-—Where Found and its Uselessness.— Corsican Pine.—Its Nativity, Valuableness, Attained Height, and Manner of Growth. — Its Ornamental Advantages. — Table-Moun- tain Pine.—Its Height and Appearance.—Where Found and Gene- CUTIE pe coral ctl da aha! don Go sods china. > 3 kesh awe a 101 xii CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIII. CEDARS. White Cedar. — Where Found and Soil Suited to its Growth. —Its Chief Uses.—Its Ornamental Value.—The Red Cedar.—Its At- tainable Growth, Usefulness, and General Appearance.—Its Vege- tating Properties.—Reasons for its Non-extensive Culture.—Com- mon Juniper. —Its Nativity.—The Attainable Growth of Varie- ties.—Its Medicinal and other Properties. —- How Propagated.— Care Necessary for the Protection of Young Plants.—The Cedran- tree.—Where Indigenous.—Its Antidotary Properties....Page 108 CHAPTER XXIV. LINDENS. Where Found.—Their Classification —Quality and Durability of their Wood.—Their Ornamental and other Uses.—European Linden.— Its Principal Uses and Growth.—White Linden.—Description of Leaf.—Range of Growth.—A. Specified Variety.—Buffalo Berry.— Its Attainable Height and Deportment.—How Propagated.—Its Es- teemed Quality and Relative Resemblance.—Quality and Useful- ness of its Fruit.—Manner of Planting for Fruit Production.—Ja- pan Sophora.—Its Nativity.—How best Propagated.—Quality of its Wood and for What Used.—Soil Favorable to its Thrift.—Sas- safras.—Its Domestic Uses.—Properties and Uses of its Wood.— How Propagated.—Its Ornamental Advantages .............. 112 e CHAPTER XXY. LARCHES. The Black Larch, or Tamarack. —Its Singular Beauty, Attainable Height, and Appearance. —Its Range of Growth. —Soil Suited to its Growth, with Difference of Opinion.—Its Durability and Usefulness.—A Practised Fraud Unearthed.—The European Larch. —Its Attainable Height, Range, Rate of Growth, and General Con- tour.—Its Ornamental and Timber Excellence.— Durability and Uses of its Wood.— Larch-growing in England and Scotland. — Ages of Maturity. — Foreign Testimony on its Durability. —Its Adapted Uses.— Places Favorable to its Propagation.— Where to Select and Obtain Seed.—Mr. Thomas Lake’s Experience in Grow- TEE MUBU CE. oo see six 0 winne «a <= Me cine tas olga mn a tee on eon 114 CHAPTER XXYVI. THE MAGNOLIAS. The Cucumber-tree.—Its Range and Manner of Growth. —Its At- tainable Height and Ornamental Character.—How Propagated.— Yellow Cucumber-tree.— Where Found.—Its Beauty and Or- CONTENTS. xi namental Character. — Quality and Durability of its Wood.—A Reason for its Scarcity.—Small Magnolia, Sweet Bay.—Its At- tainable Height.—Its Limited Range and Exceptional Ornament. —A Perfect Specimen Described.—How to Preserve its Seed and , Young Plants.—Great-leaved Magnolia—Its Rarity and Remark- able Characteristics.—Umbrella-tree.—Its Resemblance to the Great- leaved Magnolia. —Its Range of Growth and Favorable Soil.— Its Usual Height.—Its Artistic Beauty, Odoriferous Qualities, and Peculiar Tendency. —Ear-leaved Magnolia, or Ear-leaved Um- brella-tree.—Where Found.—Its Height.—Its Pleasing and Distin- guishing Features.— Yulan Magnolia.—Its Foreign Nativity and Recent Introduction into the United States—Its Distinctive Char- acter and Odoriferous Production.—The Foliage of Young Trees De- scribed. — Recommended Specimens. —The Conspicuous-flowered Magnolia. —Its Distinguishing Difference. —The Empress Alex- andrina’s Conspicuous-flowered Magnolia.—Date of Introduction into England.—Its Parallel of Thrift and its Floral Productiveness. Manner of Planting.—Magnolia Purpurea.—Its Nativity.—Color of Bloom.—How Grown, and Medicinal Properties....... Page 118 CHAPTER XXVII. YELLOW WOOD. Its Rarity and Limited Height.— Where Found and General Char- acteristics. — Manner of Preserving and Sowing its Seed. — The Dogwood. — Cornel Dogwood. —Its Singularity of Species and Diffused Growth. —Its Ornamental and Useful Advantages. — Method of Preparing and Sowing its Seed. —The Jamaica Dog- wood.—Description and Medicinal Properties —The Date Plum. — Persimmon. —Its Usual Height and Size.— Peculiarities of its Foliage and Bark. — Effect of Frost on its Fruit. — Description and Uses of its Wood. — Preserving its Seed. — The Mulberry. — Red Mulverry. — Where Found, Attainable Height, and Manner of Growth. — Durability and Uses of its Wood. —Its Ornamental Value.—How to Obtain its Seed—The Black Mulberry.—Its For- eign Origin. — Its Comparative Growth and Productiveness. — Its Dedication. —Weight of its Wood per Cubic Foot. — Effect of Age on its Fruitfulness. —The White Mulberry-tree. —Its Main Dis- tinguishing Feature. —Its Growth. — Countries to which Indige- nous. — Purpose for which Introduced into the United States, and OREM otis tees eis ir Ute eet us ole wx'b okcnc ee he Vane 123 CHAPTER XXVIII. THE BOW-WOOD, OR OSAGE ORANGE. Range of Growth, and Soil Favorable to its Growth.—Its Attainable Height.—The Incorruptible Property of its Wood.—Color of its Wood, Uses for which Fit, and Advantages.—Its Productiveness X1V CONTENTS. and Famed Elasticity.—Its Foliage and Fruit Described.—States best Suited to its Thrift.—Difference of Bearing of the Male and the Female Tree.—A Fruitful Yield.................00. Page 129 CHAPTER XXIX. THE AILANTUS, OR TREE OF HEAVEN, Its Height, Size, and Nativity.—Its Adaptability to Arid Places, with Recommendation.—Manner of Growth, Description and Uses of its Wood.—Description of its Leaf and Flower.—When First Intro- duced into the United States and by Whom.—Successful Propaga- tion Instanced.—How Propagated..\. 2.0... 0 ccc etc ee eeace 131 CHAPTER XXX. THE BUCKEYE. Similarity of Species and General Characteristics to Horse-chestnuts, — Horse-chestnut Buckeye. —Its Elevation and Nativity. — Its Manner of Growth and Soil Suited to its Growth. —Its Foliage and Fruit Described. —Its Ornamental Value. — Specified Vari- eties.— When Introduced into the United States.—Repulsiveness of its Leaves to Insect Ravages.—Description of its Wood.—Use to which Put in Europe.—Use as Recommended by Du Hamel. — Produce of its Bark.— Bleaching Properties of its Nut.—Its Artistic Beauty. —Ohio Buckeye.— Height. — For what Recom- mended.—Its Uselessness as a Timber Tree.—The Sweet Buck- eye.—Its Attainable Height.— Origin of its Name.— Uses of its Wood.—How Propagated.—Popularity of its Nut-husks.—The Red Buckeye.—Its Stunted Growth.—Its Floral and Odorous Proper- ties. —W here Found.—Effect of its Bark on Fish.—Another Use of its Bark.—Its Largest Specimen.—Its Supposed Nativity.—Its In- troduction into Britain, and Ornamental Use.—Results of Grafting. —An Opinion.—The Edible Buckeye Described.............. 182 CHAPTER XXXII. THE TUPELO. The Tupelo, Black Gum, or Pepperidge.—Its Variety and Allied Characteristics. —Their Floral Fragrance.—How Raised, Size, and Range of Growth.—Texture of its Wood and for What Esteemed. —Its Twofold Property.—Its Variety of Name.—Description of its Berries and their Sustaining Usefulness.—Its Attainable Height and Places Favorable to its Growth.—Its Uses in Virginia.—The Wild Lime-tree—Its Resemblance to the Black Gum-tree, and Exception.— Description and Uses of its Wood.— Buoyant Prop- erty of its Roots.—The Esteemed Delicacy of its Fruit. —Its Height and Sige. ; S085 665 Wek. S foe tees sha Sk cee es 137 CONTENTS. XV CHAPTER XXXII. THE JUNEBERRY. Its Noticeable Beauty.—Its Attainable Height.—Its Floral and Fruit Productiveness.—Its Foliage Described.—The Non-distinctive Dif- ference of European and American Varieties.—Its Range of Growth. — Soil and Situation Suitable to its Thrift.— Use of its Fruit.— The Papaw.—Its Stunted Growth.—Its Floral and Fruit-bearing Properties.— Its Limited Latitude of Growth.— Properties of its TUR a Paty oa uaa oes See net Cane Page 139 CHAPTER XXXIII. THE CATALPA. Its Scattered Range, Height, and Growth.—Its Flower and Foliage Described.—Occurrence of its Bud and Fall of Leaf.—Its Climate and Thrift.—Its Self-propagating Properties.—Durability and other Properties of its Wood.—Its Seed Described.—Manner of Culture. —A New-England Specimen Described.—The Medicinal Properties of its Bark.—The Poisonous and Medicinal Property of its Flower. —Its Annual Beautifying Productiveness................0.. 141 CHAPTER XXXIV. THE HACKBERRY. Its Attainable Height and Size.—Its Appearance and Characteristics. —Description and Uses of its Wood.—Its Odorous Production.— Its Range of Growth.—The Largest of its Species, Where Grow- ing.—How Propagated.—Its Enemies.—The Red-bud.—Its Stunted Growth.—Its Floral and Seed Productiveness.—How Propagated. —Similarities of its Species, and Distinguishing Features.—Use of its Bark.—Culinary Usefulness of its Flower, Bud, and Pod... 148 CHAPTER XXXV. THE FRINGE-TREE. Its Limited Height.—Its Native Range and Ornamental Value.—Its Floral Productiveness.—Its Variety of Name.—Its Classified Be- longings.—Its Medicinal and other Properties—Its Possible Perfect- ness by Grafting.—The Iron-Wood.— Where Belonging.—Height of Tree, Uses and Durability of its Wood.—Manner of Growth.—lIts Pisa vated Be. LMNCE TCO. ose noe e cide ow evens vewsgide 145 CHAPTER XXXVI. THE BUTTONWOOD, ASPEN, AND POPLAR. The Buttonwood or Plane-tree.—Its Extensive Range and Abundant Growth.—Its General Appearance and Elevation.—Its Peculiar Dis- advantages.—Description of its Seed and Manner of Sowing.—The - xvi CONTENTS. Aspen.—Its Numerous Species and Resemblances.—Value of its Wood.—Disagreeable Character of its Seed.—The American Aspen. —Where Found and Limited Height.—Description and Uses of its Wood.—Its Common Characteristics.—Large Aspen.—Its Advan- tages.—Uses and Properties of its Wood.—Downy-leaved Poplar. —Its Southern Nativity.—Attainable Height and Size.—Peculiari- ties of its Foliage.—Its Uselessness as Lumber.—The Balsam Pop- lar.—Where Found and its Uselessness.—The White Poplar.—Its Ornamental Value.—Its other Advantages.—Its Superior Qualities ‘and Chief Uses.—How Propagated and Attainable Height.Page 147 CHAPTER XXXVII. CHERRY-TREES. Wild Black Cherry.—Its Native Range.—Preferred Use of its Wood. —Its Ornamental Character. —Its Productiveness. — Manner of Preserving and Sowing its Seed.— The Wild Red Cherry. —Its Attainable Height and Size.—Its Qualities Contrasted with the Black Cherry.—Description and Qualities of its Wood.—Its Spon- taneous Growth.—Its Special Property.—The Wiid Cherry.—Its Mediemmal Properties. 0.2 0.502) seam oa Ss yeleis'n tie 150 CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE WILLOWS. The White Willow.—Its Ornamental Value and Elevated Growth.— Manner of Growth and Usefulness.—Its Supposed Worthlessness the Result of Fraud.—Description of its Wood.—The Brittle Wil- low.—Its Height, Growth, Rarity, and Uses.—Weeping Willow.— Its Ornamental Advantages.—Places Favorable to its Growth.— Largest Specimens, Where Produced.—Grafting of the Kilmarnock and American Willow.—Shining Willow.—Its Exceeding Orna- ment.—Its Growth on Careful Culture.—Its Favorite Places of Growth.—How Recognized.—Peculiar Feature of its Leaves.. 152 CHAPTER XXXIX. THE SPRUCES. White Spruce.—Its Attainable Height and Size.—Its Northern Nativ- ity.— Principal Uses of its Wood.— The Oil Extracted from its Branches.—The Black Spruce.—Atmosphere Favorable to its De- velopment.—Its Wild Luxuriance.—Description of its Cones.—Man- ner of Securing its Seed.—The Red and Blue Spruces.—Their Re- semblance to the White Spruce.—The Norway Spruce.—lIts Height. —Peculiarities of its Growth.—Its Age of Maturity and Where Indig- ecnous.—Its Resinous Extract.—Uses of its Bark.—Importation of Young Trees to England and Uses to Which Put.—Durability of its Wood.—Effect of Soil on the Qualities of its Wood.—its General CONTENTS. XVil Appearance and Persistent Growth.—Its Usefulness as Shelter.— Its Properties Preferable to those of the Black Spruce.—Manner of Saving and Sowing its Seed.— Hemlock Spruce.—Where Indige- nous.—Elevation Favorable to its Thrift.—Texture and Character- istics of its Wood.—Peculiarities of Grain.—Its Beautifying Charac- ter.—Its Value Compared with other Timber Trees.—Balsam Fir.— Its Nativity.—Its Height and Size.—Medicinal Properties and Or- namental Advantages.—Fraser’s Fir.—Where Found and General MMC EMSUNC SN ch. ooh g Sir Mis op ce N ced ve de Doe Deh ee eed Page 154 CHAPTER XL. THE DECIDUOUS CYPRESS. Its Ornamental Character, Southern Home, and Dispersed Growth.— Soil Suited to its Growth, and Attainable Height.—Peculiarities of its Growth.—Its Associate Tree.—Description and Properties of its Wood.—Its Usefulness and Indifference to Climatic Influences.— White and Black Cypresses.—Value of the Cypress.—Its Seed.— Manner of Sowing and Cultivating.....................0000: 158 CHAPTER XLI. THE AMERICAN ARBOR-VITA. Its Northern Home.—Its Favorite Soil.—Its Attainable Height and Size.—Uses and Properties of its Wood.—Its Ornamental Advan- tages.—Manner of Planting Explained.—Its Varieties.—Important Varieties.—Its Medicinal Properties. .............c00eceeeees 160 CHAPTER XLIL THE YEW. The English Yew.—Its Foreign Origin.—Its Famed Longevity.— Its Symbolic Uses.—The Immensity of its Foliage.— Properties and Uses of its Wood.—Its Latitude of Thrift. —American Yew, or Ground Hemiock.—Its Stunted Growth, and Semi-evergreen Prop- erties.—Effect of Cultivation on its Growth.—Its Artistic Advan- ae ee eee ay eee ONE no aera Richt ald ie aS 162 CHAPTER XLIII. THE BOX-TREE AND HOLLY. The Box-tree.—Its Foreign Origin.—Its Western Attainments.— Its Usual Height.—Quality, Property, and Uses of its Wood.—Adapta- bility of its Foliage to Fantastic Designings—How Propagated.— Winter Preservation of the Dwarf Species.—The Holly.—Its Va- . rieties —The American Variety Considered.—Its Range of Growth and Favorite Soil.—Its Ornamental Perfection............... 164 XVili CONTENTS. CHAPTER XLIV. THE LAUREL. The American Laurel.—Density of its Growth.—Its Resemblance to the Box.—A Name Derived from its Uses.—Description and Prop- ~ erties of its Wood.—Soil and Climate of Thrift.—Its Seed and Flow- er Described.—Care Necessary to its Raising.—Sheep Laurel.—A Contrasted Difference.— Properties of its Leaves. —The Great Lau- rel.— Region of its Abundance.—Climate and Situation Congenial to its Growth.—Its Attained Height.—Its Floral Productiveness.— The Rose Bay.—Its Elevated Home.—Its Diminutive Height.—Its Beautifying Advantages.—Soil Unfavorable to its Thrift. —The Carolina Laurel Described and Qualified................ Page 166 CHAPTER XLV. TIMBER TREES. List of the most Valuable Timber Trees in the United States, and their Suitable Climate.—Coniferous Trees. — Number of Seeds to the Pound of Mach Species...) 0. vis vk ee dvs os ke ee 169 CHAPTER XLVI. THE EUCALYPTUS, OR THE FEVER-TREE. Its Nativity.—When Discovered, and by Whom.—When Introduced into France.—Its Medicinal Qualities, and by Whom Discovered. —Its Antiseptic Properties.—The Healthful Results of its Planting in Malarial Districts. —Its Tour of Travel and Introduction into America.—Eucalyptus - planting by the Trappist Monks, and Ex- pected Results.—Record of the Eucalyptus as a Disinfectant.—In- stanced Results of its Antiseptic and Disinfecting Properties.—Eu- calyptus- planting in New Orleans, and Healthful Results.— The Eucalyptus as a Preventive against Yellow and Jungle Fever, and Efforts for its Introduction into India.—Experience of English Tree- growers in Raising the Eucalyptus.—Its Destined Future.—Climate Best Suited to its Growth.—Its Successful Raising on the Pacific Coast.—Experiments on the Virtues of the Eucalyptus and Results in Detail.—Its Odorous Properties.—Its Other Uses.—Eucalyptus- planting in California, and Probable Returns.—An Opinion in Re- gard to the Southern and Southwestern States ............... 171 * CHAPTER XLVII. THE OAK. Its Rank among Trees.—Procuring and Sowing its Seed.—The Burr Oak. —Its Attainable Growth.— Description of the Burr Oak as given by Dr. P. R. Hoy.—Its General Appearance and Beautify- ing Character.— Durability of its Wood.— Manner of Growth.— CONTENTS. Xi1x Its Utility and Ornament.—Its Abundance and Distribution.—Its Zone of Thrift. — Characteristics of its Foliage.— Conditions by which to Distinguish Species.—Opinions on Transplanting.—The White Oak, the Post Oak, the Swamp Chestnut Oak, the Black Oak, the Scarlet Oak, the Red Oak, the Pin Oak, the Willow Oak, the Laurel Oak, the Black-Jack Oak, the Spanish Oak, and the Live- Oak Separately and Variously Described...... fata duds Page 17 CHAPTER XLVIIL THE BERBERRY. Its Attainable Growth under Culture.—The Common Berberry.—Its Ornamental Value and Manner of Training.—Its Thrift and General Appearance.—Where Indigenous.—Soil Suitable to its Thrift.—Its Floral and Fruit Productiveness.—Uses of its Fruit and Leaves.— Medicinal and other Properties of its Bark.— A Prejudice against it. —Varieties and Original Species, How Raised.—Berberis aquifolium. —Its Beauty.—Its Range of Growth and High Altitude of Thrift.— Quality and Color of its Fruit.—Its Botanical Description.—Medic- inal Properties of its Root.—Its Medicinal Extracts, and Complaints for which Prescribed.—Medicinal Properties of its Berries.... 184 CHAPTER XLIX. THE BUCKTHORN. Its Growth and General Appearance.—Its Floral and Fruit Productive- ness.— Medicinal and other Uses of its Berries.—Its Ornamental Value.—Its Suitability as a Hedge-plant.—How Propagated, and Manner of Culture and Training.—Its other Characteristics... 187 CHAPTER L. THE GORDONIA. The Woolly-flowered Gordonia.—Its Attainable Height.—Its Southern Nativity.—Its General Appearance Described.— Description and Uses of its Bark and Wood.—Its Botanical Description.—Its Agree- able Floral Production.—Soil Suited to its Thrift.—Its Artificial Raising.— How Propagated.— The Pubescent-leaved Gordonia.— Where Indigenous.—Its Ornamental Value and Extensive Culture. —Its Floral Bearing.—Its Foliage Described ................ 189 CHAPTER LI. THE PRIDE OF INDIA. Its Climate of Thrift, and Attainable Growth.—Its Beautifying and Ornamental Elegance.—Its Diffused Existence.—Opinions as to its Nativity.—How Propagated and Manner of Culture.—Its Favorite Soil.—Description of its Leaf, Flower, and Fruit.—Medicinal Prop- erties of its Berries.—Description and Uses of its Wood.—Its Seed, RO MIIEN Sr g ats ages cv be same ba tbc We ss cme 191 xx CONTENTS. CHAPTER LILI. THE MAHOGANY-TREE. Where Indigenous. —Its Primitive Nativity.—Its General Physique De- scribed.—Its Floral Productiveness.—Peculiarity of its Seed.—A Reason for its Dispersed Existence.—Season for Felling.—Varieties, and Renowned Uses of its Wood.—Unseasonable Felling, and Pre- cautionary Measures to Prevent Imperfectness.—Date when Intro- duced into England.—An Interesting Account of its Introduction. —Effect of Soil and Climate on the Texture of its Wood.—Its Du- rability.—Its Present Uses.—Dimensions of Exported Logs and their Value.—Method of Test for Soundness in Logs.—How the Mahog- any became Naturalized to the Eastern Hemisphere.—A Species of the Burman Forests.—Its Characteristics Compared with those of its PRISCHICHE OOHAIE. o.oo ois os ace xeos wile foo sb be Seles RA Page 193 CHAPTER LIII. GRAPE-VINES. The American Wild Vine.—Attention Paid to its Classification.—Dis- tinctive Characteristics of Species.—Delicacy of their Habit.—Traits of Good Quality of the Grape-vine.— Where Indigenous. —Its General Bearing.—The Celebrated Varieties of North America.— Their Favored Qualities. —Collective Sketches of the Qualities and Properties of the most Hardy Varieties.—Manner of Planting the Grape-vine, and After-Management. ............-ssseeeeeeees 197 CHAPTER LIV. THE COMMON APPLE-TREE. Diffusion of the Common Apple-tree.—Period of Cultivation in the United States.—Its Original Nativity.—Its Wild Thrift and Gen- ‘ eral Deportment.—The Many Varieties of its Parentage.—Hinder- ances to its Longevity.—Exceptional Trees, Where Grown.—Soil and Situation Necessary to Perfect its Productiveness. — How Propagated. —Management Necessary when Propagating from RENE P a 5s ate’ ba gal gpm cathartic OR aC ae 202 CHAPTER LV. THE GOLDEN ORANGE-TREE. Doubts of the Nativity of the Golden Orange-tree.—Its Believed Ori- gin.—Where Abounding in the United States, and by Whom Intro- duced.—Record of its Early Notice.—Its Attainable Height under Culture.—Its Majestic Bearing and Floral and Fruit Productiveness. —Its Many Varieties Variously Described and Qualified.—Soil and Climate Suited to its Thrift.—How Propagated.—Manner of Rais- ing from Cuttings.—Uses for which Principally Cultivated.—De- scription and Usefulness of its Wood.—Its Greatest Enemy... 205 CONTENTS. Xx1 CHAPTER LVI. PROPAGATION OF TREES. Propagating.—Contrast of Theory and Practical Knowledge.—Meth- ods of Propagating.—Varieties from Original Species, How Pro- duced.—Seeding.—Time and Manner of Sowing, with Necessary Considerations.—Preparation of the Soil.—Cuttings.—What they Are.—When, Where, and What to Select.—Period of Longevity, How Ascertained.—Cause of Decay in Cuttings.—Characteristics of their Growth.— How Set Out.— Evergreens.—When Propagated from Cuttings. — Necessary Precautions. — Layering. — Origin of Method. — Governing Laws of Growth in Layers. — Methods of Layering Described.—Budding.—Inserted and Annular Budding, How Performed.—Object of the Methods.—Seasonable Time for Operating.—Grafting.—The Splice, Saddle, and Cleft Modes Sepa- rately Explained.—Pruning.—The Object of Pruning and the Ben- Pie Metrewteeh CCT ODY. od) d— fans e a wi oo bn a oa ease ok Be Page 210 CHAPTER LVII. ON PLANTING. What to Plant.—Preparation of the Soil.—Influence of Soil, Situa- tion, and Climate on Certain Species. —Dr. John A. Warden’s Facts in Connection with Tree-planting. — Congenial Soil of Spe- cies.— On Natural and Artificial Grouping.— Dispersion of Spe- cies, to What Due.—Base of Successful Forestry.—Combined Spe- cies and Obnoxious Exceptions.—On Planting for Shelter-hedge or Screen. — Species Adapted to each Purpose. — On Planting Hill- sides. — A Philosophical Suggestion.-- The Notching or Pitting Process for the Production of Stock Plants. — Separated Existence of Certain Species, and Care Necessary to their Successful Produc- tion.—Nurses.—What they Are.—Uses for which Designed.—Spe- cies most Easily Produced or Obtained.—Manner of Planting, and their Utility. — Nurses in Use for Specified Species. — Nurses as a Source of Profit. — On Close Planting and its Resulting Economy. —Rapidity of Growth of Hardy Trees. — Transplanting Seedlings. a tauepianins Trecs Of Laree Size. i.e. ae ww ce enw 226 CHAPTER LVIII. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF THE TREES OF THE UNITED STATES.. 243 7153 ’ cA’ ys : BiGemie es ~ $e ‘. pe ee a3 Prd. A Be, Ae . ied Ly . et, ie ‘ os = ae > om . < » ‘ ; - , , 7 * “ : . - m " ee a * ’ . < ae “ ol . ~~ ta’ C . , * 4 > > ee”. 7] Pi INTRODUCTION. “1 BELIEVE in God and my country. And if, after an implicit faith in an All-wise Providence, there is any one thing more than another on which I rely, it is the wis- dom and prudence of the American people. The seed from the rude sowing of the colonies which hewed out the magnificent states of the East, and established a free and independent government, will never be found want- ing in anything which goes to make up a truly great na- tion. From my earliest youth my voice has ever been raised against the destruction of the forests of America ; but, lost amid the whir of saws and the resounding stroke of axes, it was too weak to be heard, until now, the day of reckoning having come, we must dispassionately con- sider the evil done, and take measures to remedy it in the future. It is the disposition of our people not to j take heed of the future, but only to enjoy the present. “ While the forests of America lasted they could not and would not believe the day would ever come when they would have need of them. But now they see more clear- ly, and look with dismay on the ruin which their own hands have wrought. To all I would say, be not dis- couraged, for it is still possible to undo in a great meas- ure the evils of the past, but it will require all of our pa- tience and wisdom, and much more than was ever ex- hibited by our fathers. XXIV INTRODUCTION. To destroy the forests of America has been a brief work; to replant and reproduce them will be the labor of forty generations, but it can be done. I have written many books and submitted them to my countrymen for their approval, but never have I approached a subject with such diffidence and consciousness of my inability to cope with it as the one treated of in the following pages. When [I learned to love the trees I cannot remember, but I was born under the spurs of the Alleghanies, and passed my infancy in the umbrageous shade of their wide-spreading pines. I fished and hunted along the streams, and she who is the mother of my children often accompanied me in my rambles through the grand old mountain forests of Pennsylvania. How beautiful these mountains were, with their coats of pine, green as the sea! Shade so deep and dark it seemed like night on the brightest day ; babbling brooks with sly little nooks by bits of grass, and deep, cool pools where the hermit trout lay. Here was a mossy glen and there a waterfall, yon- der a clambering vine in many a wild festoon, and at our feet a bed of moss softer than down. If we turned over a rock in the mountain’s side we found ice beneath it even in the hottest days of August. Then there were caves, deep, dark, and cool, filled with ice on the sides dripping with cold water, and stalactites shining over- head. How I remember stealing away and hiding in one of these caves, years and years ago, while the boys brought our brave mountain girls to see it; and when I roared like a bear how they ran like frightened fawns, a white dress glinting here and there through the forest, until all were lost to view in the distance, and Annie Berry sprained her foot so terribly on that day she was INTRODUCTION. XXV laid up for weeks, and the old doctor shook his cane and threatened what he would do if ever we frightened An- nie again—all of which we knew was talk, for the doctor loved us too well to harm a hair on our young heads. It was rude, wild sport, and my mind goes back lovingly on a hot August day to the Bear Meadows, Galbraith’s Gap, Snowshoe, Pleasant Gap, and the big mountains with their coats of pine. There are no prettier spots on earth than those near Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, where I was born. Accustomed from infancy to look upon these wild mountains and grand old woods, they became common in my eyes, and, as naturally might be expected, were not appreciated. Much as I loved the trees and mountains, I never fully realized what beautiful things they were until after I “came to the plains. For days and days I travelled over the level, arid, treeless prairie, often looking back at night to the place where we had started out in the morning, and which seemed scarcely ten miles distant, but was in reality over thirty. Every traveller has experienced the wonderfully deceptive distances of the plains. Often you would wager you could ride or walk to some dis- tant mountain in a few hours, but you journey on for days and days, and still its barren sides and bald peaks loom up apparently as far off as when you started out. To the man who has been raised in the mountains the absence of trees on vast level flats becomes most pain- ful, and his eyes are constantly unconsciously seeking for a rock, a vine, a tree, a green mountain, or a shad y glen where he can lie down and rest. Land; land every- where, and the sky shut down in great circles upon the level, burning plain. I never could get used to stretch- ing my little piece of canvas to make a shade; it seemed > Xxvl INTRODUCTION. so unnatural, so useless, and, indeed, was no shade at all if compared with the cool depths of the forest. A blaz- ing sun overhead, a hot sand on the earth, and only a narrow strip of cloth between—that is not what the mountain man calls shelter. How often in those hot days did I long for the green mountains, mossy glens, and cool streams of the grand old woods where I was born. For four years I had lived on the plains surrounded by sage-brush and sand, never once seeing a mountain or forest. Then I was ordered east with troops, to Ken- tucky. We had been running very fast all night in the cars, and in the morning, just as I was washing in the sleeping-car, I heard the soldiers in the forward coaches cheering. I asked the conductor what was the matter, and he replied, “ The soldiers are cheering the trees.” We all hastened to the doors and windows, and there, sure enough, found we were running through a grand old Kentucky forest, and it was indeed a most beautiful sight. It had rained the night before, and the dripping trees shone like silver in the newly-risen sun. Grape vines hung in heavy festoons from the arms of giant oaks, woodbines wound about their trunks; the grass on the earth was green as an emerald, and_so clean I longed to jump from the cars, lie down on it, and roll over and over and shout for very joy. ‘*Thank God for noble trees, How stately, strong, and grand These bannered giants lift their crests O’er all this beauteous land.” The sight: of a forest in the early morning, when the dew is on the grass and leaves, is at all times beautiful. Even those who have been used all their lives to such INTRODUCTION. xxvii magnificent scenes are startled occasionally into an ap- preciation of their beauty ; how then to us who had not seen for years a great tree seemed the forest! It was beautiful beyond description, and even the children clapped their little hands and cried out, “Oh, mamma, see the pretty trees!” I saw a squirrel leap from the grass and run up the trunk of a gnarled oak that per- haps kept silent watch over the grave of some say- age warrior, who in his day had been a mighty man. There were great gothic forest aisles, and through the grained and graceful roof of leaves millions of sunbeams shimmered down, lighting up the dark recesses of the woods until the whole resembled some vast cathedral pile. I compared this scene with those which I had wit- nessed a thousand times in my boyhood and yet thought nothing of them. It was then I realized fully, possibly for the first time, the beauty and value of woods and mountains. Ever since then I have been pleading, ‘‘Oh, woodman, spare that tree, Touch not a single bough; In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now.” Not only did I determine to become the friend of the bannered giants that lift their heads to the sky, but to urge the planting of new forests everywhere, and, if possible, cover the barren plains of the West with woods. Many writers had preceded me, but they all seemed defective in not pointing out how forest-trees could be reproduced. These writers were eloquent in their de- nunciation of forest destruction, but pointed out no reme- dy for the evil. I said I will study the lives of the trees, XXVIll INTRODUCTION. and take up the subject where others have laid it down, showing how to cultivate and grow forest-trees as fruit- trees are now grown. I soon found the task I had set myself was a most difficult one, for there were no forest-tree nurserymen, and no one willing to become such. They only laughed at the idea of planting oaks, elms, pines, and such “ weld trees” as they called them. When the facts were sought to be laid before the people they too laughed at me, and the newspapers called me an alarmist, and scoffed at the idea of our forests giving out, or new ones being planted. I was recommended to sow the Alleghany Mountains with clover-seed, and plant the fence corners with sassa- fras for old women’s tea. My articles were denounced as the impracticable vaporings of a madman, and I was even refused a hearing by such respectable journalists as J.W. Forney and Morton McMichael.