3G The New York State College of Forestry 
polygamum, Comarum palustre, Rubus triflorus, Viola blanda, 
Scutellaria galericulata, Veronica scutellata, Campanula apari-- 
noides and others. 
Of mosses, the entire absence of sphagnum has been noted. 
There are occasional mats of the tall spindling growths ot 
Polytrichum (species) growing in very wet shaded depressions. 
The meadow floor is a compact, firm sod, and it is interesting 
to note that at certain drier spots Kentucky blue grass (Poa 
pratense) and orange hawkweed (Hieracitum aurantiacum) 
have become established. Of the pioneer species of shrub 
invaders, Spiraea latifolia is fairly well established and main- 
tains itself by vigorous shoot production in spite of the annual 
mowing. Sweet gale (Myrica gale) occurs in small clumps 
where a wet spot is avoided by the mower. 
(2) The Alder Thicket; Alnus incana Association 
Within the limits of the sand plain—the Grasse River 
marsh as here designated —the alder thicket is confined to the 
stream margin and to the sloping bank of the flood plain. The 
ageressiveness of the shrub invasion is not fully expressed 
because, as explained above, the meadow stage is prolonged by 
the annual hay cutting. Spiraea latifolia has gained and 
maintains a foothold by vigorous sprout reproduction and 
Myrica gale and alder form small clumps in wetter depressions 
in the meadow. Willows, though frequent along the outer 
slope of the flood plain, play at the present an inconspicuous 
role. The vigor and aggressiveness of alder as a successor to 
the marsh meadow association may be seen farther up the 
Grasse River where opposite the Grasse River Outing Club 
the flat flood plain has become fully occupied by an almost 
impenetrable alder thicket of many acres. The dense alder 
growth virtually hides the stream itself, rendering the passage 
of a canoe impossible and forming a most difficult obstruction 
to passage along its banks. The writer is not informed as to 
the recent history of the establishment of this “alder flat,” 
nor as to the vegetation which preceded it. It is probable that 
so dense a growth will rapidly bring about changes in the sub- 
