the peculiar fitness of our present organization, to deal
effectually with the question of tree planting, we discover, that in the
co-operative association of so many people, we possess a marked
advantage over the small farmer, which enables us to treat large tracts
of land as a single farm; by devoting all of the rough, stony ground,
steep hill sides, unsightly gullies and areas of poor, gravelly soils,
to the purposes of timber and fruit culture.

"Harmoniously united, we are financially and intellectually stronger;
less influenced or retarded by motives of selfishness and greed;
surrounded by conditions of easy comfort; armed with skill by study and
experience; and withal inspired by a knowledge of the great necessity
for replacing our forests; we are exceptionally well prepared to carry
forward this great work, so successfully and to such an extent, that a
few decades hence our hill sides and mountains, shall be re-clothed with
beautiful forests of much finer trees--all choice timber--vastly more
valuable than the original stock.

"By more systematic methods of terracing the steep hills; by close
planting of the young trees, with varieties selected by reason of their
value for lumber, timber, nuts and fruit; by a judicious thinning out of
these young trees so soon as they have grown to a useful size; a
profitable crop of timber may be secured each year, with a positive
benefit to the remaining trees. This operation may be repeated many
times, before a partial replanting becomes necessary. By an extended use
of these methods, the excellence of the timber supply may be doubled,
while the aggregate yield will be trebled. The landscape will be
beautified and permanently changed. Barren, unprofitable hills, and
rough unsightly mountain tracts, rejoicing in a new growth of beautiful
verdure-clad trees, will become objects of general admiration; while at
the same time, the value of these lands, as a source of wealth, will be
increased a thousand fold.

"As these forests continue to grow, the shade deepens, the store of
retained moisture increases, perceptible changes in the climate are
effected; the evils of flood, erosion and drought are checked; the soil
made deeper and richer; the rainfall largely increased; the climatic
conditions become more genial, and the cooling, drouth-dispelling rains
become more frequent.

"The interesting and beautiful process, by which these changes are
accomplished, may be briefly stated