580 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



Fine Hemi.ock and Typical Forest Surroundings. 



This splendid specimen grew in a deep ravine among the high mountains of West Virginia. 

 The great laurel or rhododendron is seen in all its vigor ready to engage in rivalry with 

 the hemlock seedlings to possess what little vacant ground may remain in the deep shade. 

 A beech near by has held its own in competition with the hemlock. The largest tree is 

 iyi feet in diameter. Few hemlocks attain greater size or smoother trunk. 



while pine's increasing cost invited stib- 

 stitutes for that wood. One of the first 

 places filled by hemlock was on the 

 farm, where fences and barns were 

 built of it. In most respects it was 

 equal to white pine for those purposes. 

 It did not work quite as easily, but not 

 much cutting and fitting were required 

 in building a plank fence or in framing 

 and siding a barn or granary. Barns 

 and other buildings are still standing, 



and are in good condition, which were 

 constructed of this wood from thirty 

 to fifty years ago. and an extreme per- 

 iod of service exceeding one hundred 

 years is on record. Such instances are 

 valuable as matters of history, showing 

 along what lines hemlock was first util- 

 ized in this country. 



The lines then established have been 

 maintained ever since, with many addi- 

 tions and enlargements. 



