172 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



doing very well. The mining districts are always an open, profitable market for 

 their products; the lumber or fur trade is a considerable additional income to them. 

 or gives them employment if thoy seek it, and tliose near the lake have a ricli 

 harvest in the tisheries. With the increase of inhabitants in these districts, the 

 facilities for all will be improved, and perhaps tjie time is not far distant when 

 this neglected forest coinitry shall justify the application of our State motto: '"Si 

 qua?ris Peninsulum araoenam, circumspice." 



NOTES ON SOMK OP THE TREES GROWING IN THE STATION WOODS. 



The basswood (Tilia Americana) is, or has been, a frequent tree along the outcrop 

 of the Calciferous sand rock. This valuable lumber tree is of large size and excellent 

 quality in tliis part of Michigan. Ho\vcver, it is rapidly disappearing, as it is 

 now much sought after by lumbermen. An interesting fact is that young trees are 

 springing up everywliere about the old stumps. j\Iany of them are seedlings, and the 

 whole region seems likely to be re-forested in a short time. 



The sugar maple (Acer saccliarinum) is by far the most abundant tree growing on 

 the station grounds. This tree constitutes half of the forest growth in the vicinity 

 of Chatham. The trees are not of large size, ranging from one to two feet in 

 diamt'tor and about sixty feet in height. Some of these trees show signs of disease, 

 and the attempt to turn them into lumber has not thus far been successful. The 

 sugar season is short and the production of maple sugar is not carried on to any 

 great extent. 



Red maple [acer ruhrum). This is a rare tree along the bank of streams. 



Black ash {Fraxinus sanihiicifolia) . This tree is only seen along streams and in 

 swampy places, accompanjing white cedar. 



Elm {Ulmvs Americana). This noble tree is quite common and grows to a large 

 size. One old tree which the lumbermen left, measured twenty-three feet eight 

 inches in girth four feet from the ground. This tree is also rapidly disappearing, 

 being lumbered extensively at the present time. 



Beech iFagiis fcrriKjinca) . Only an occasional tree of small size was seen on the 

 station grounds. 



Ironwood {Os1ri/a Virginica) . This tree is frequent and reaches a large size in 

 the Alger county woods. 



Cherry birch {Bctiila tenia). A frequent tree of good size, but not common enough 

 to yet tempt the lumbermen. The same maj^ be said of the 



Yellow birch [Bctnla liitca). 



Aspen {Poiruliis tremuloides) . This is the only poplar noticed in the vicinity of the 

 station, and it is not comomn. 



White pine [Finits strobus). Only a few large stumps of this valuable tree were 

 seen. 



Balsam fir (Ahies halsamea). This beautiful tree is scattered throughout the for- 

 ests, and often reaches a large size. 



Hemlock {Tsuga Ca}iadensis) . This tree, which is so common along the shore of 

 Lake Superior on the sandy ridges is seldom seen at Chatham. 



Tamarack (Larix Americana). This tree is occasionally seen outside of swamps, 

 where it is abundant and of large size. 



White cedar [TJniga occidcntalis) . The white cedar is one of the most valuable 

 trees in the forests of Alger county. It has two places in which it flourishes, viz., 

 large swamps, accompanied by tamarack and black spruce; also in small areas 

 on side hills, where springs come out from the rocks, are many fine specimens of 

 very large size. Here this tree grows in clusters, half a dozen or more trunks 

 branching out from a single root. 



LIST OF PLANTS, TRKES AND SHRUBS GROWING ON THE STATION GROUNDS. 



Moonwort, Botnjchium Virginianum, Swartz. 



Maidenhair, Adiantum pedatum, L. 



Shield-fern, Aspidium spinnlosnm intermedium, D.C. 



Holly-fern, A. Lonchitis, Swartz. 



Goldie's-fern, A. Goldieanum, Hook. 



Narrow-leaved Spleenwort, Asplenium angustifolium, Michx. 



Silvery Spleenwort, A. thelypter aides, Michx. 



