52 FOREST COMMISSIONER''S REPORT. 



nothing happens to it, will form a prominent portion of the output 

 of the land. 



In September 1894 opportunity was had to inquire into the con- 

 dition of the timberlands on the Machias and Schoodic rivers in 

 Washington county. Large amounts of long lumber were formerly 

 shipped from this region. In recent years staves, laths and other 

 small lumber, manufactured from small growth that has come up 

 near tide water has formed a steadily increasing proportion of the 

 output. The entire drainage of these rivers has been cut over, 

 and the shriukage in size and number of logs is due to a real 

 encroachment on the source of their supply. 



Inquir}^ into the history of the country develops the fact that 

 fires have been largely responsible for this condition of things. 

 Quantities of standing timber have at one time or another been 

 destroyed outright, while most of the burnt tracts, covered with 

 growth that is still young or of species that cannot under present 

 conditions be utilized, brings no return to the owner. Neither 

 stand nor growth is availaUe to replenish diminishing supplies. 

 The extent of the burns is surprising. On the Machias river a 

 good half of the country has been burnt over. On the Schoodic 

 river the proportion is nearly cr quite as great. On the East 

 Rlachias river a still larger por ion, amounting probably to three- 

 fourths of the whole drainage of the river has at some time or 

 other been burnt, perhaps half of it within the last thirty years. 

 The cut of this river in spruce, fir, pine and hemlock is now about 

 three millions, whereas it seems probable that had it not been for 

 fires, the yearly growth might be twice that amount 



The most destructive single fire in Washington county occurred, 

 according to my information, in the year 1827. Starting in the 

 neighborhood of Chain lakes, in the town of Wesley, it burnt 

 clean a broad belt through t > the coast in Jonesboro, a distance of 

 some twenty-five miles, which it travelled in two days. The 

 bounds of this fire are now largely blotted out. Numerous fires 

 have run over parts of its territory since. Large areas still remain 

 as barrens. A comparatively small portion of it is covered with 

 growth of full age Except near the coast the only species that 

 has been of value for lumber is pine Considerable areas are part- 

 ly covered with this tree, geneially arranged in a scattered, open 

 growth Such trees, as has been elsewhere remarked, never will 

 become first class lumber. Neither do they fully utilize the ground 



