THE NORTHERN HARDWOODS REGION 295 



instead of a combination of second-rate pasture and open forest. 

 Most of the partially stocked stands at present in the old-field 

 hardwood type owe their poor stocking to the influence of grazing 

 during the period of reproduction. 



Protection against Insects and Fungi. — The destructive insects 

 and fungi common to this region are few in number. The forest 

 tent caterpillar attacks the sugar maple and is now the most 

 dangerous enemy of the kind in the region from the forestry 

 standpoint, but its ravages have not recently been widespread 

 nor does it give indications of becoming a serious insect pest in 

 the forest. The work of the forest tent caterpillar is described 

 in the chapter on Insects. 



Watershed Protection. — The location of the region with respect 

 to the headwaters of New England's main rivers has already 

 been shown. As a result of its location below the headwaters of 

 these rivers, and of the character of its topography and other 

 natural features the region does not require a forest cover 

 primarily for protection. 



Summary. 



1. The Northern Hardwoods region is an agricultural region 

 with important lumber interests. 



2. It is a hardwood region, characterized by northern species 

 and stands of seedling origin, with the forest mainly in woodlot 

 holdings of a larger size than in the other two New England 

 woodlot regions. 



3. Much land now forested is of agricultural value. However, 

 the best lands have been cleared and the farm area will not 

 increase appreciably in the near future, or until a decided change 

 in agricultural conditions takes place. 



4. Markets for forest products are fairly good, better than 

 in the spruce region, but poorer than in the other two regions. 



