284 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



Throughout this section trees of spruce, birch, alder, poplar, and 

 several varieties of willow constitute the timber growth, spruce and 

 birch being more common than the other kinds. Spruce and alder 

 make rather dense growths on the lower lands, and a spruce tree 14 

 inches in diameter at the butt is not uncommon. Specimens of alder 

 25 feet high, and with a 4-inch diameter at the ground can be found 

 all along the streams. 



Poplar and birch are commonly found on the sidehills, where the 

 growth is somewhat sparse. Six inches is probably above the average 

 diameter f oi birch, and the largest poplars in this section have no more 

 than a 10-inch diameter, though in other places trees of this species 20 

 inches in diameter may be found. In general the lower portions of 

 the hillsides are heavily timbered; the growth becoming less dense as 

 you reach higher ground. The timber land is usually about two-thirds 

 the distance from the creek bed to the hilltops, varying as the slope 

 is north or south. Dwarf birch is common on the highest levels, and 

 patches of scrub willow may be found on very high land. On the 

 highest elevations these dwarfs are very little taller than the bushes of 

 blueberry ( Vaccinium canadense), which are very common and which 

 bear abundantly. Cranberries ( Vaccinium oxy coccus) and bear berries 

 (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) are also very common at this season, and 

 may be found at any point from the creek bed to the summits of the 

 highest hills. 



At a point about 25 miles from Eagle the trail leads downward, and 

 for several miles passes over a gradual slope which extends from the 

 high ground to the bed of Libert}^ Creek and as far up and down 

 stream as one can see from the trail. There is about 30 square miles 

 of land here that from the slope of the surface and the character of 

 the soil should be considered very desirable for farming. The slope 

 faces the southwest, hence has a good exposure to the sun. A portion 

 of this slope has been burned over in recent years, and on the land 

 thus cleared of moss very fine native redtop was growing. On patches 

 here and there the stand of grass was thick enough to yield a good 

 crop of hay, and the entire slope would supply good pasturage for live 

 stock. 



The soil of this slope is a sandy loam, well drained and generally of 

 good depth, though occasional gravel spots may be found. Portions 

 of the slope are covered by a dense growth of young spruce trees 4-6 

 inches in diameter. In other parts the timber is sparse. There are 

 few growing trees of large size, but many large trees that were killed 

 by fire a number of years ago may be seen. 



The land rises quickly on the south side of Liberty Creek, and after 

 about ^ve hours' travel over hill country we pass to the left of a land- 

 mark of note called "The Dome." This elevation is hemispherical in 

 form, and with a very regular outline, considering that the rock 



