264 FORESTRY IN NEW ENGLAND 



It is only on lands which have been lumbered and then burned 

 over that the protecting soil cover is removed and danger of 

 erosion caused. On such lands no serious damage need be feared 

 unless the land slopes sharply, for it is on the steep cut-over and 

 burned-over slopes of the mountains that the serious danger occurs. 

 Such lands comprise only a small per cent of the total area and 

 it is beheved that the natural soil cover of moss, herbs, and 

 shrubs, which will persist on lands cut clear but unburned, is a 

 sufficient preventative. 



In regulating run-off the forest is more satisfactory than a good 

 soil cover of moss, assisted by herbs and shrubs. 



There is no intention to minimize the high value of a forest 

 cover in protecting watersheds as a general proposition, but it 

 is important to emphasize the point that for the spruce region as 

 a whole the forest, owing to existing conditions, is not a vital 

 necessity for watershed protection. 



Summary. 



1. This is primarily a forest region with an exceedingly high 

 percentage of true forest soil, a timber producing and exporting 

 region, now and for all time. 



2. It is characterized by coniferous forests and possesses, due 

 to the silvicultural character and adaptabihty to the region of its 

 principal species, great growing and reproductive power which 

 it is difficult to entirely destroy by careless treatment. 



3. The land is chiefly owned in large holdings by concerns 

 whose interests are leading them to hold the land indefinitely, 

 to protect them and to cut conservatively. 



4. It is a famous summer resort section, its fame being largely 

 due, directly and indirectly, to the forest cover. 



