t)2 THE MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



to deal with than any other type of open swamp, because of the difficulty 

 of clearing them sufficiently to enable trees to start. To one who has 

 never tried to penetrate one of these swamps in the summer, it is difficult 

 to convey any adequate idea of the density of the shade which exists 

 under the shrubs, but it is often nearly as dense as that in a good forest 

 and quite as detrimental to seedling growth except of the most tolerant 

 kinds. It is probable that to introduce desirable tree species into this 

 sort of growth would necessitate the clearing out with a bush scythe 

 or axe a certain amount of the bush growth. The clearing would prob- 

 ably best be done in the form of strips, but if this were impracticable 

 on account of cost, small open spaces already existing could be enlarged 

 and the trees planted in groups in these. Burning to destroy the 

 bushes is frequently resorted to, and if this is done at a time Avhen the 

 soil is not too dry, or better when it is wet, it might be a satisfactory 

 way of clearing, although such fires, even when carefully set and watched, 

 may result in the burning out of the peat and that most exasperating 

 condition known as "fire fall." If the burning is successful, trees should 

 be planted in immediately, as if the soil is left uncovered, the willows 

 and the other shrubs soon seed in again or sprout from the old stools 

 and the new growth is more unprofitable than the old. Often in such 

 places it is perfectly feasible to develop a tree growth where it seems 

 that the water level is too high for the trees to grow, by building mounds 

 by throwing up a few spadefuls of the soil or by planting on existing 

 hummocks. These give slightly higher elevations than the general level 

 and upon them may be planted a young tree with a good deal of certainty 

 as to its thriving, where if it were planted at the general level it would 

 as certainly not grow. 



If the expense can be borne, shallow and narrow ditches could be run 

 across the tract and the trees planted in rows upon the material thrown 

 out. The species best adajjted for such localities seem to be the tam- 

 arack, which may be planted without preparation in any opening which 

 occurs, the native spruces and arbor vitae for conifers, the soft maples, 

 the Cottonwood, the yellow birch in the south and other birches farther 

 north, and the elm. Other species of poplar than the cottonwood make 

 a good start in such places, but they do not thrive unless drainage con- 

 ditions are such that the water level may be slightly lowered. If the 

 water level is lowered permanently even a few inches, the great majority 

 of the swamj) forest trees will grow in such places. If no improvements 

 are to be made and trees started at the smallest possible cost, it is 

 probable that the best thing to do is to cut branches from the poplars, 

 the Carolina, the large toothed, or balsam, or the European white willow, 

 from one to three inches in diameter and four to six feet long, and stick 

 them into the ground at regular intervals. Most of these will take root 

 and because of their height will be able to compete successfully with 

 the shrubs and will soon overtop them. These species, because of their 

 indifference to excessive moisture and ease of ])ropagation, and because 

 of their wood producing powers, are to be chosen before all others, but 

 the black ash, the elm and the red and white maples might be used where 

 somewhat larger cost of planting can be met. 



The economic importance of utilizing these lands is seen to be con- 

 siderable, when we realize that a relatively large part of the unimproved 

 farm lands all over the State are of this type, and if they can be made 

 to produce firewood or pulp-wood, if nothing better, it will not only 



