Amongst our native Forest Trees, the Elm stands pre-eminent. Its beauty of form, and luxuriance of foliage, with its long and graceful branches, renders it peculiarly fitting for a shade tree. Its long life makes it particularly valuable, as more than one generation can enjoy its planting.

I have ever regretted that so ruthless a disposition was made by the early settlers of Rochester, of the beautiful forest trees which abounded here. The Elm, Maple, Chestnut, Oak, Walnut and Beeches, grew in abundance, and were mostly cut down by those whose province it was to clear away the forest. In after planting on our streets for ornament, the " Button Ball," or " Sycamore," was used, as their growth was rapid. Recently the Elms, Maples, and Horse Chestnuts, have been used, so that in time we may enjoy the shade which they furnish. One noble old Elm, is all that I now remember, of much size, and that is on South Clinton-street, a monument of past time, when the man of the forest held sway here. It is held in high esteem. May time deal gently with it, and may its age increase until centuries can be allotted as the period of its existence.

Rochester has been called the "City of Trees," and looking down upon it from the cupola of the court house, it has the appearance of a large garden studded with trees.

It is known that in Mr. Downihg's life-time, he gave a great preference to the native Elm of our country, and in his work on •' Landscape Gardening,"he classes it among those objects in which all that is beautiful existed.

He had been heard to say, that under its branches would he prefer his "last of earth," to be deposited - and when his numerous friends shall perform what is the wish of many should be done, may the chosen Elm make one of the trees to be planted round his grave. J as. H. Watts. Rochester, October, 1862.