FUTURE OF THE REGION. 25 



On the southward slopes of middle altitude which are too warm and dry 

 for white pine, the oaks and chestnut will doubtless be more profitable. The 

 reproduction of these species is so free in this region that improvement cuttings 

 and protection from fire promise to be sufficient to secure a good stand. 



In the deep dark coves and ravines where trees and undergrowth are luxuriant 

 it would be difficult to establish pine, and in such places white ash, cherry, 

 birch, linn, and chestnut prove the most ready of the valuable timber trees to 

 reoccupy cut-over lands. 



Locust promises to be of great value in light dry soils in medium and lower 

 altitudes, and especially in restocking worn-out fields. It is very hardy and 

 valuable, has an established market, and when cut sends up numerous shoots 

 from the roots. 



FUTURE OF THE REGION. 



If taken in hand at once and the best methods of sylviculture applied the 

 remaining forest would undoubtedly yield handsome returns. At present trees 

 of choicest timber are killed to make fields on which corn costs $1 a bushel, or 

 to be grazed until worn out and gullied by rapid erosion. On these clearings 

 the mountaineers make only a miserable living. The markets are distant, the 

 once abundant game is gone, the population is sparse, and the roads wretched. 

 The material prosperity of these people depends upon the development of the one 

 important natural resource the forest. 



If roads and railroads were built into this region, furnishing transportation 

 at reasonable rates and making the present timber accessible where it stands, 

 not only would the inhabitants gain a good market for their timber, but this 

 would be worth cultivating, and remunerative employment would be assured to 

 a much larger population than at present. The establishment of wood-working 

 factories, for which there is abundant raw material of the best quality, would 

 support prosperous communities. 



If the region were more accessible it would soon become popular as a health 

 resort. The altitude is high and the air of the mountains, often loaded with the 

 resinous odor of balsam and pine, is pure, fresh, and cool. The water of the 

 springs and forest streams is clear and healthful and the scenery is inspiring. 

 The surrounding lowlands, especially coastward, are densely populated and suffer 

 in summer from a hot and enervating climate, while this mountain refuge lies 

 within easy reach. 



Should this region become a vacation ground and summer resort, not only would 

 the supplying of the visitors' needs afford profitable employment for those for 

 whom there are now no opportunities as wage-earners, but a home market would 



