302 THE FORESTS OF CECIL COUNTY 



even a larger proportion. In many observed cases the entire stand 

 is weed growth. In the forest, as on the farm, knowledge and in^ 

 dustry bring good crops; ignorance and neglect, weeds. 



The shore woodlands are well adapted to the growth of trees suit- 

 able for lumber. The land, though unsuited to agriculture, is well 

 suited to tree growth. The principal commercial trees, Oaks, Chest- 

 nut, Tulip-tree, Black Walnut, Hickory, and Ash grow rapidly and 

 reach large sizes when properly treated. Cheap water transporta- 

 tion to the principal eastern markets, New York, Philadelphia, and 

 Baltimore, as well as to the local markets in the county, is possible. 

 The large farming population could be employed in the winter, when 

 work is slack, to cut and manufacture the product. The fire danger 

 is small, owing to the position of the timber, with cultivated land on 

 one side and water on the other. Taxes, though high, are being paid 

 by the owners on lands producing poor wood crops, and the rates would 

 not be increased if full crops of good material were produced. 

 Every condition is favorable to the profitable production of forest 

 crops on the shore woodlands. The future should see every acre of 

 the 15,000 in this type producing at least 12,000 feet of lumber, the 

 equivalent of the 15 cords of wood found on the best stands to-day. 

 This would mean 180 million feet of lumber for the shore-timber, 

 an amount far below its producing capacity. 



FOREST TREES. 



The trees found in the county are principally hardwoods. Ked 

 Cedar and Pitch, Shortleaf and Scrub Pines are the only conifers 

 found, and only two, Eed Cedar and Scrub Pine, are common. The 

 mingling of northern and southern species in this locality accounts 

 for the large number present. The following is a list of the native 

 trees of Cecil county: 



CONIFERS. 



1 Pitch Pine Pinus rigida. 



2 Scrub Pine Pinus virginiana. 



3 Shortleaf Pine Pinus echinata. 



4 Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana. 



