I have been much interested in the occasional notes on tree growth, which you give in the monthly. And I send the following measurements to show the growth of trees planted in rich soil and in private grounds. The locality is on the farm of Isaac G. Smock, near Holmdel, Monmouth County, New Jersey. The trees stand among many others at wide spaces apart about the residence and in grass, as the grounds have not been ploughed in a half century. I cannot give the exact age as they were set out at intervals shortly after 1859. None of them can be more than 32 years old; and some of them are not yet 30 years from the seed. I think that 30 years would be the average age. The trees selected for measurement were the more thrifty, although not much larger than others of the same species in the grounds. The measurements were made 2 to 3 feet above the ground; and give the circumference of the trunk at that height. The height is not given as it is not extraordinary in consequence of their spreading out in showy tops rather than in stretching up, as in closely planted groves.

Maple, Acer rubrum................................71 inches

Sugar Maple, Acer Saccharinum...................41 "

American Elm, Ulmus Americana.................60 "

Tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera.................63 "

Sweet Gum, Liquidamhar styraciflua..............46 "

Linden, Tilia Americana...........................43 "

Black Cherry, Prunus serotina....................52 "

Locust, Robinia pseudo-acacia.....................48 "

Kentucky Coffee tree, Gymnocladus Canadensis . 43 "

Weeping Will w, Salix Babylonia.................48 "

Deciduous Cypress, Taxodium distichum..........60 "

American Larch, Larix Americana................42 "

Balsam Fir, Abies balsamea........................58 "

Albany, N. Y. [Our forestry readers will thank S. for these valuable figures. We should be glad to have others. American forestry, now passing from infancy to vigorous youth, will take all such pleasures as friends can give them. And we can learn from this communication how necessary it is to have numerous figures, in order to strike an average as a practical guide. For instance, rapid grower as the Red maple usually is, it is something remarkable to have it outstrip the willow. Indeed, the willow is so far behind, that it leads to another thought of importance in forestry figures, namely, the importance of individual strength of the tree taken for comparison. All who have had experience in tree raising, know that there is constitutional character in individual trees that affects their growth. Indeed, some always remain nothing but dwarfs, and, when selected by the nurseryman, furnish the "Tom Thumbs," "Little Gems," and other miniature pets of his catalogue. In some instances, extraordinary individuals will appear, and possibly here the Red maple may have been of extra constitutional vigor, while the willow was below.

Again, as trees are often very nice in in their gastronomic tastes, an individual will, once in a while, find itself in "clover;" while another, if it had the power of thought, would envy the swine husks that gave a thankful meal to the Prodigal Son.

There are so many of these side issues in gathering facts for a good chapter on comparative tree growth, that we cannot have too many figures. - Ed. G. M].