54 ANNUAL REPORT 



Mr. Grimes. It is a very easy matter to understand why the 

 soil does not freeze deep near these lakes. I remember a number 

 of years ago I went out to survey a piece of land, and after we 

 were through we went out on a small island in the lake, that was 

 covered with very nice little trees. The next morning I thought 

 I would block out some of those plants, and upon going there with 

 our tools we were surprised to find there was no frost around them, 

 although the ground everywhere else near the lake was frozen to a 

 depth of several feet. We dug them out and took them home. 

 "Well, my theory is this: When water freezes, as a matter of course, 

 heat must be drawn out somewhere, and the ice not being porous 

 the heat must escape through the nearest soil into the air, and that 

 I concluded was the reason this land wasn't frozen; the heat 

 escaped from the water into the soil. 



President Elliot. Were these trees mulched with leaves? 



Mr. Grimes. No, I don't think they were much. There might 

 have been some leaves gathered there, but not any great quantity. 



President Elliot. It is a fact that in heavy timber where there 

 are three or four inches of leaves, on the ground we hardly ever 

 find any frost in winter. If there is a light snow fall in the fore- 

 part of the winter, you will find, as a general rule, that the soil is 

 not frozen very deep. 



The following paper was then read: 



ECONOMICAL FORESTRY. 

 By Mr. Barrett, of Brown's Valley. 



What I am to say now is not my own personal observation or 

 experience, but something that has been told me by a gentleman 

 with whom I am personally acquainted, and who is reliable in 

 every sense of the word. 



I have had a large experience during the brief period I have 

 been in the West, in raising forest trees; and I discover there is 

 a lamentable dilapidation in many of our tree claims, despite the 

 faithful work of the owners, as best they know how to discharge 

 their duties. 



I have a tree claim which is now in its fifth or sixth year, and it 

 certainly has cost me all that farm is worth to develop ten acres to 

 a proper degree. 



Recently I had occasion to be present at an Indian council, at 

 the reservation near Browns Valley, and had a conversation with 

 the Indian agent, William McKusick, who is an intelligent man, 

 and has had considerable experience in raising wood; he said there 

 was a method, which he defined to me, and cited Mr. George Port 



