REPORT ON FORESTS. 85 



The value of the land here is, of course, generally much too high 

 for profitable forestry. In well-located places it is worth from $400 

 to $1,000 per acre, where it is still sold by the acre instead of by 

 the foot. In a few out-of-the-way places it ranges lower, but is in 

 any case largely independen t of the character of the timber. From 

 inquiry, it was estimated, however, that the timber alone was 

 worth from $30 to $50 per acre for a 3O-years' growth, and in pro- 

 portion for younger timber, but old timber of mixed varieties 

 is worth from $100 to $150 per acre. Swamp land timber is said 

 to be rarely worth more than $20 per acre. In the vicinity of 

 WyckofF we obtained the following general prices : Stump land, 

 $5 ; 20-years' growth, $15 to $25 ; 3O-years' growth, $25 to $35 ; 

 large oak and chestnut, $75 to $100 per acre. About Oakland, 

 stump land, $3 ; 2O-years' growth, $20 ; 3O-years' growth, $30 ; 

 large mixed growth, $60. In such inquiries as this it becomes 

 quite evident that many of the estimates given are based on the 

 prevailing rule that timber will produce one cord of wood per 

 acre for each year that it is growing, and that this wood is worth 

 about $i per cord on the stump, as was determined by a large 

 number of written inquiries sent out by the Survey, the results 

 of which were published in the Annual Report for 1885. This 

 rule seems to prevail all over the State, but it is quite evident 

 that it cannot be equally fair for all sections, although probably 

 a good working average. 



A few tracts claimed to be original forest were noted in the 

 Hackensack valley. One is half a mile east of Hillsdale, con- 

 taining about 30 acres of oak, 15 to 28 inches in diameter and 

 about 70 feet high ; a small piece of oak, one-half mile south of 

 Riverdale, another, one mile west of Englewood, containing oak 

 from 15 to 30 inches in diameter and from 60 to 80 feet high, 

 and another piece of oak, one mile northwest of Oradell, on the 

 ridge. It is noticeable that all of these tracts are of oak. 



Several large trees were noted throughout the valley. At 

 Hohokus, a fine elm 50 inches in diameter and 80 feet high, 

 with a spread of branches of about 100 feet ; one mile south- 

 west of Etna, an oak 46 inches in diameter and 60 feet high ; 

 in an old clearing, one mile northeast of Saddle River, two 

 chestnuts each 60 inches in diameter ; on the estate of the 

 late Hon. W. W. Phelps, at Teaneck, two oaks 40 inches 



