THE SPRUCE REGION 249 



and large knots. For toothpicks absolutely clear, straight wood 

 is needed. The quahty of the wood needed for these products 

 causes considerable waste in the logging and makes the wood 

 expensive. Besides the paper birch a little yellow birch is used 

 for these products, and in other regions the gray birch, though 

 with less satisfactory results. 



A decidedly lower grade of paper birch may be employed in 

 the manufacture of various novelties ^ and toys. Sometimes a 

 novelty mill can utilize a large part of the waste left in manu- 

 facturing one of the other products, thus utilizing the knotty 

 wood and the red heartwood. Inasmuch as low-grade wood is 

 often permitted in the manufacture of novelties other species, as 

 yellow birch, beech, and maple, of a lower technical value than 

 paper birch are employed. 



These minor industries all aid in utilizing the hardwood 

 species, and, where (as in the manufacture of novelties) they 

 can use wood other than that of the highest grade or best species, 

 are a valuable aid in forest management. The use of poplar for 

 excelsior is another small industry which can be of assistance in 

 forest management. The amount of wood cut for this purpose 

 in New England is not large. Spruce and balsam are used to a 

 small extent for slack cooperage staves. 



Slimmer Resort Business. — The summer resort industry which 

 may so strongly affect forestry, and be affected by it, deserves 

 consideration. Such interrelation between forestry and this 

 business may not exist in every section of the country, but in 

 this territory it is certainly important. 



The fact that the spruce region throughout its entire extent, 

 from the Adirondacks on the west, through northern Vermont 

 and New Hampshire into northern and eastern Maine, is a well- 

 developed and popular resort for summer tourists, hunters, and 

 fishermen, is too well understood to need elaboration. It is a 

 business which brings in large amounts of money annually to 

 the local communities, and is a chief source of livelihood to many 

 of the inhabitants. 



' Under the name of novelties are included all sorts of small wooden knickknacks. 



