absorbed practically all species down to comparatively small diameter 

 limits. Consequently in cutting-practices very few trees of any kind 

 are left. The opening up of the stand to light, results in a stimula- 

 tion of weed-growth and the periodic burnings prevent the establishment 

 of a second crop. This fire damage is an especially serious factor in the 

 strip of forested bluffs bordering the Mississippi plain from southern 

 Randolph county south to central Alexander county and in parts of the 

 Uplands of Gallatin, Saline, Pope, and Hardin counties. These areas 

 should produce much more timber than is now being grown. 



The forests of the south-central part of the state from Carbondale 

 to Pana, roughly representing the extent of the Illinoisian glacial de- 

 posit, are a reflection of the extremely poor soils which characterize 

 this region. Post oak is the prevailing species on the poorest soils, a 

 very limby black oak and hickory come in on the better soils, with white 

 and black oak on the better-drained slopes. Along the stream bottoms 

 very good timber is produced, but the general type of growth for the 

 uplands is poor. Fires are not common, grazing is not practiced, and 

 the stands are well stocked, even frequently overstocked, but tree growth 

 is very slow. As one approaches the Wabash on the east or the Mis- 

 sissippi and Illinois rivers on the west the tight gray clay soils are modi- 

 fied by sands and loess, tree growth is better, and a wider range of 

 species is found. In these latter regions fires are not common nor is 

 grazing of the woodland the rule. 



The stands of the uplands from about Pana north, or roughly cor- 

 responding to the Wisconsin glacial area, show a tendency toward an 

 even-aged type of from 60 to 80 years of age. Where not grazed they 

 are generally well stocked and thrifty; but grazing wood-lots is the 

 common practice throughout this area, resulting first in the formation 

 of a sod, and ultimately in the conversion from a wood-lot to a treeless 

 pasture. 



The bottomlands of the central and northern parts of the state are 

 largely cleared. Where forests persist they are uneven-aged, heavily 

 stocked with saplings and large defective trees, and have evidently pro- 

 duced excellent timber. 



The history of Illinois forests thus parallels that of other states to 

 the east, south, and north, where in the pioneer era, enormous energ)' 

 was expended in hewing farms out of the forests. The great advantage 

 which Illinois possessed in having nearly 60 per cent of her area al- 

 ready bare of trees and this on the most fertile soils, released that much 



