FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 459 



Of the tract bought of Dr. Webb, the 50,125 acres situated north of the Beaver 

 River, e.xtending thence to the St. Lawrence County line, are covered with a primeval 

 forest in which no lumbering operations or timber cutting whatever has been done, 

 and on which no timber right has been granted or reserved. 



With the exception of one comparatively small area, it is a dense, unbroken forest. 

 The exception referred to is an opening on the trail north of Salmon Lake, near its 

 junction with the one leading to Witchhopple Lake. This denuded area embraces 

 about 425 acres, on which no tree is standing. It is covered with a thick growth of 

 ferns, and although the fire or windfall that stripped the land occurred many years 

 ago, there is no sign as yet of any reforestation. 



There are also a few "beaver" meadows on this tract, the same, in appearance, as 

 those which may be seen at intervals in all parts of the wilderness. On Lot 64, 

 Township 43, there is one of these wild meadows which is over one mile long and 

 about sixty rods wide. 



But the tract is remarkably free from openings of any kind, the timber being dense, 

 large and tall. Along the St. Lawrence County line there are some hardwood ridges 

 on which the beeches are conspicuous for their height and diameter, this species 

 attaining here a size seldom seen elsewhere in our northern woods. Throughout the 

 entire tract the forest shows the same composition generally observed on the Adirondack 

 Plateau, with the usual proportion of conifers and merchantable s[)ruce. 



The entire region purchased is interspersed with beautiful lakes, some of which, 

 like Salmon and Big Crooked, are unsurpassed in beauty by any in the whole Adirondack 

 Forest. They are well stocked with trout. The principal lakes are Salmon, 

 Witchhopple, Clear, Big Crooked, Burnt, Lmerald and Little Rock. There are, also, 

 the ponds known as Wolf, Sand, Trout, and Cage ; and the group known as the Five 

 Ponds, with several others, all charming sheets of water hemmed in by dark, primeval 

 woods where both fisherman and hunter can find ample opportunity for enjoyment. 

 No tourist or sportsman should claim a thorough knowledge of the Adirondack 

 Wilderness until he has traversed the region included in this purchase. 



From the terms of the contract it will be seen that about one-third of the lands 

 conveyed are subject to a timber right permitting the removal of the soft wood or 

 evergreen trees ; also the ash and cherry. The trees which may be removed under 

 these contracts constitute less than fifteen per cent, of the forests standing on the tracts 

 included in these timber rights. The timber which has been cut and which remains to 

 be cut, is composed largely of spruce and hemlock. There is but a small amount, 

 comparatively, of pine, ash, cherry, and poplar. The latter species grows only on 

 burned lands, of which there are none in the Webb tract. There is considerable 

 balsam; but as the contract forbids the cutting of any trees under ten inches in 



