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THE FORESTS OF GAKRETT COUNTY 



SPRUCE. The winter of 1902 will probably see the last large stand 

 of Spruce in the county removed. It is at the head of Cherry Creek, 

 between Negro and Meadow mountains. The best of the Spruce 

 occurs on the level or gradually sloping land surrounding the 

 swamps. As the land rises, and becomes drier, oak and other hard- 

 woods prevail. The stand of Spruce is good; the trees have grown 

 rapidly, are tall, and the trunks are clean. In all respects it seems 

 well adapted to this locality, and but for the fact that the lands upon 

 which it grows are valuable for agriculture, it would seem wise to 

 encourage the growth of Spruce. The reproduction here is fair, and 

 except for the fires which follow logging, would insure a good second 

 growth. 



Spruce, like White Pine, sometimes occurs as one of the lesser 

 components of the moist slope forests. On Backbone Mountain, near 

 the West Virginia line, it occurs with Hemlock in considerable abun- 

 dance, but is being rapidly removed. 



The following table is from measurements taken in the stand of 

 Spruce at the head of Cherry Creek: 



