Titus Smith

Titus Smith

Titus Smith, naturalist, surveyor, traveller, agriculturist (b at Granby, Mass 4 Sept 1768; d at Dutch Village near Halifax 4 Jan 1850). To his innate interest in all natural studies, Smith brought a mind well schooled in botany and a keen interest in the conservation of animal and plant life. He became well known to his contemporaries first through his one-man expedition around NS reporting to Gov Wentworth on the colony's resources. Later he acclimatized seeds and sold improved varieties that he introduced into British N America. Smith testified before Lord DURHAM's investigation in 1839 concerning conditions in NS, and served 1841-50 as secretary to the Central Board of Agriculture. With his writings in the press and his lectures to the Mechanics' Institute, his name became a household word and his advice was sought on diverse subjects. Smith advocated careful use of resources and a commonsense approach to problems of agriculture and forest management.