REMARKS UPON THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS. 58 1 



The Destruction and Renovation of the Forests. 



BY J. H. HUNTINGTON. 



At the time of the advent of the white men, the whole state, except 

 perhaps some small areas on the rich alluviums where the Indians raised 

 their corn, was covered with a dense forest from the sea-shore almost to 

 the summits of the highest mountains. Along the streams especially 

 the pines assumed gigantic proportions ; but now those suitable for 

 masts are found only in the deep ravines far up among the recesses of 

 the mountains. In general, the deciduous trees were found on the fertile 

 uplands, while the swamps, the ravines, and less fertile uplands were 

 occupied by coniferous trees, the spruce, the fir, the cedar, and the 

 larch. Where there was nothing except boulders, a thin bed of vege- 

 table mould formed from the decay of moss supported only a growth 

 of fir. 



The destruction of the forests by the axe and by fire is becoming a 

 matter of serious consideration. In clearing land for cultivation, the 

 trees when cut down are almost invariably burned, and, that this may be 

 effected as completely as possible, the driest weather is frequently se- 

 lected, although the fire is much more likely to spread into the surround- 

 ing woods. It is a common notion, with those that clear land, that if 

 they get a "deep burn" they will secure better crops. It is very true that 

 better crops may be obtained for one or two years, but after that, if all 

 the vegetable matter was burned, the land will be almost worthless un- 

 less the vegetable matter is restored. Much of the sterility of our soil 

 is undoubtedly due to this cause. In our forests large quantities of dry 

 branches and tops of trees are left by lumbermen, and these, when dry, 

 are exceedingly imflammable. Although the primitive forests, except 

 near the summits of the mountains, are rarely subject to conflagrations, 

 yet, whenever an opening is made through which the sunlight is admitted, 

 the mossy soil, on which the propagation of fires largely depends, readily 

 takes fire. In fact, the fires are sometimes confined to this alone, and, 

 during a whole summer, the fire may not extend over more than an acre 

 of ground. In such cases it burns up entirely the vegetable mould from 

 which the forest trees spring. Here and there a tree falls; but, in the 



