[2 THE ADIRONDACK SPRUCE 
HARDWOOD LANDS 
Hardwood lands comprise the elevated flats and 
slopes where the hardwoods are the characteristic 
species, among which the Spruce grows in considerable 
quantity, both scattered and in groups. The soil is 
richest on high flats and moderate slopes, and here the 
largest Spruce and the best hardwoods grow. The 
humus is good and the fall of litter heavy. In general 
the Spruce is somewhat larger on the more level hard- 
wood lands than on the slopes, but the crown is apt to 
be longer and the clear length shorter. The propor- 
tion of Spruce in mixture is nearly the same in each. 
The characteristic trees in mixture are the Birch, 
Hard Maple, and Beech, with scattered Hemlock, Soft 
Maple, Pine, Cherry, and Balsam. The first three attain 
their best development on these lands, while the Hem- 
lock is of inferior quality to that found on the moister 
soil of lower ground. While Soft Maple is not a charac- 
teristic tree of the hardwood forest, it is found scattered 
there in considerable numbers, and the largest speci- 
mens frequently grow on high ground. The other species 
are not important. 
