PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 73 



is known far beyond the border of Iowa. Dr. H. C. Cowles of the Uni- 

 versity of Chicago annually takes his classes in ecology to the region 

 to study the ecology of the region. Dr. B. Shimek, Professor of Botany 

 of the University of Iowa, also uses the region to study the plants. The 

 region has much of historical interest connected with it. Montpelier 

 is on the Mississippi not far from the mouth of Pine creek. The first store 

 in the county was established in 1838 by a Mr. Nye, who landed at the 

 mouth of Pine creek in 1834. He was the second settler in the county. His 

 grave and the grave of some others of the pioneers are neglected. The 

 grist mill is also an old landmark, and was built soon after the permanent 

 settlement in that vicinity was established. It is in a good state of preser- 

 vation and is still in use, the dam as well as the mill. It is a most pic- 

 turesque place and good enough for any artist to paint as a rural scene. 

 Wild Cat Den occupies an area of about 200 acres, belonging to the 

 two Brandt sisters, Mr. Otto Fitchner and Mr. Welsch. These people 

 are to be highly commended for keeping the place in such fine condition. 

 The wild plants have had an opportunity here to grow and the wild life 

 has also been protected. In many of the scenic places I have visited 

 in Iowa much destruction has occurred, over pasturing, cutting of timber, 

 which has destroyed the beauty of the natural surroundings. However, 

 in the case of Wild Cat Den in Muscatine county, the owners have pro- 

 tected the area in such a way that the original conditions still exist. It 

 is to be noted, however, that people have gone in during the past to re- 

 move the young white pine. It is interesting to note that there are no 

 medium aged white pine left. The original trees 120 to 150 years old 

 and very young trees six to seven years only remain. The early settlers 

 removed the trees six to ten years old to plant in their yards. The re- 

 moval of young pines and other plants was so frequent that the Brandts 

 do not allow anyone on the place, except by permit. There is evidence 

 that young pine, if given a chance, will recover the ground. Many of 

 the old oaks and other trees are still standing in the virgin condition. 



AGE OF TREES. 

 Species of trees. Ag-e. Diameter. 



White pine 120 years 25 inches 



White pine 130 29 



Red oak 95 



White ash 85 20 



Black oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) 120 



Geology of the Region. Muscatine county is generally a smooth plain 

 except for the narrow valley which has dissected the plain. In the 

 eastern part of the county the elevation reaches a maximum of 800 feet. 

 The Cedar river flows across the western part of the county and has 

 formed a broad valley. The Mississippi river flows along the eastern 

 border and below the city of Muscatine forms a semi-circular valley, 

 known as Muscatine Island. The streams, except those mentioned above, 

 are short. Pine creek is of this type. This stream heads in Fulton and 

 Wilton townships, flowing through Sweetland and Montpelier townships, 

 emptying into the Mississippi between the towns of Montpelier and Fair- 

 port. The area is located in Montpelier township near the New Era 

 community center. The rock outcrops consist of carboniferous sand- 

 stone and associated shale. The soil is known as Lindley silt loam. H, 



