1902. 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION. 



405 



general stud}' of the condition of the 

 existing tree growth throughout the re- 

 serve, made with special reference to 

 the need for protection and the possi- 

 bility for improvement of this growth. 



In order to get an accurate and de- 

 tailed description of the character of the 

 growth on the cut-over and burned lands 

 characteristic of the reserve, an area equal 

 to one township was selected, which ex- 

 hibited average conditions, and acre 

 strips were run through this area at in- 

 tervals of one-half of a mile. All trees 

 on these strips down to one inch in di 

 ameter were counted and calipered, and 

 careful note was made of the character 

 of the ground cover and of the soil. In 

 connection with the surveys, a study of 

 the rate of growth of the common spe- 

 cies, White, Norway, and Jack Pine, and 

 White, Scarlet, and Red Oak, was made. 



It must not be understood that this 



method of study should be extended to 

 cover the entire reserve, as conditions 

 do not reqtiire so detailed a study over 

 a large area. But the results illustrate, 

 in concrete form and on a small scale, 

 the lines necessary to be followed in the 

 practical management of the reserve. 



From the 258 acres surveyed, a divis- 

 ion of the area into types was possible, 

 based on differences in the character of 

 the growth and soil. The names of 

 these types were suggested b\' the sittia- 

 tions, as well as by the character of the 

 growth. A rough estimate of the com- 

 parative representation of the .several 

 types distinguished is as follows : 



Per cell 



Oak flat 32 



Oak ridge 11 



44 



Jack Pine barrens 39 



Swamp II 



Hardwood land 6 



FIG. I. VIRGIN FOREST Cfp WHITE AND NORWAY PINE ADJOINING THE MICHIG.\N 



FOREST RESERVE. 



