324: THE FORESTS OF GARRETT COUNTY 



small, the lumber companies annually peel large quantities of Hem- 

 lock bark from the timber cut on their tracts. 



The following table will give an idea of the yield of bark per acre 

 of the types producing Hemlock. The present stand for the county 

 is also shown: 



TABLE NO. 11. 



HEMLOCK BAKK. 

 Trees 12 inches and over in diameter breast-high. 



Sub-type. Area. Average Stand per acre. Total yield. 



Acres. Cubic Feet. Cords. 1 Cubic Feet. Cords. 



Hemlock 143 853.86 9.49 122,102 1,357 



Hemlock and hardwoods 1,280 312.27 3.47 399,706 4,442 



Spruce 730 287.86 3.20 210,138 2,336 



White Pine 3 176.45 1.96 529 6 



Total 2,156 339.73 3.77 732,475 8,141 



FUTURE PROTECTION AND UTILIZATION. 



Thus far only the present condition of Garrett county forests and 

 the present crop and its removal have been considered. With the 

 removal of the original stand of timber the owner of forest land 

 usually ceases to consider a further yield. It is believed that this 

 conception of a lumbered forest as a " dry well " is largely respon- 

 sible for the poor condition of Garrett county forests. Fires are 

 allowed to sweep across cut-over lands, killing sprouts and seedlings 

 because the owner does not fully realize the amount of damage done. 

 Therefore, if he endeavors to prevent fires on his lands it is chiefly 

 because his fences, grain crops, or buildings are in danger, or he fears 

 a law-suit, should the fire spread to a neighbor's land. As long as 

 this view is held by forest owners the principles of practical forestry 

 will never be seriously considered. 



Possible Timber Production. 



That the cut-over lands are, in most instances, capable of producing 

 a never-failing amount of timber if properly managed is readily seen. 

 If a given tract of land has in the past produced a forest and has not 



X A cord of piled bark equals 90 cubic feet. 



