56 FOREST COMMISSIOXEK'S REPORT. 



of all ages, — some that seeded immediately after the fire ran, 

 others that have grown up as undergrowth since. The willow and 

 cherry trees frequently found scattered through growth of this 

 nature are often no doubt the remains of thicker sowings. These 

 trees are sometimes thickly found on a new burn, but so far as my 

 o'^servation has gone they do not long hold the ground against the 

 competition of other species. 



In respect to the reproduction of different species after fire, it 

 will be well to make the following general statements. Evergreen 

 trees reproduce only by seed. Birches and maples after light fires 

 send up freely sprouts around the stem. Poplar and beech carry 

 over frequently by means of the root, which may send up shoots at 

 a considerable distance fi'ora the parent stem. As to resisting fire, 

 holding over unharmed in spite of scorching, pine, so far as noted, 

 seems to be among the most hardy species. 



The exact study of the yield of land of this kind has not been 

 carried far enough to be made the basis of generalization. That it 

 might be extended, and figures representing closely the average 

 and aggregate production of burnt h.nd be thus ariiv'ed at. cannot 

 be disputed. The work of this nature already done is, however, 

 well worthy of record. In respect to the species concerned it gives 

 a close idea as to the maximum, in number of trees and in volume 

 of wood, that may be produced. Not that the tracts examined had 

 a specially deep or fertile soil — that is not needed for the produc- 

 tion of the maximum crop of timber. The pieces of ground selected 

 for sludy w-ere rather rocky, with only a moderate amount of soil. 

 They were uneven and well drained. The vegetable soil was only 

 such as the trees now standing had produced. 



Growth on quarter acre of land in Township No. 19, Washington 

 county. Land burnt twenty-four years ago. 



Number 

 Species. Number. over 2 



in. (liam. 



Gray birch 839 114 



Poplar 119 43 



White birch 3 3 



Cherry 16 



Willow 41 



Ma[)le 2 



Hackmatack 2 



Spruce 4 



1,026 160 



