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FORESTRY IN NEW ENGLAND 



mixed hemlock and hardwoods, although in these stands there 

 are apt to be several ages of hemlock represented. The hard- 

 woods are usually of sprout origin. Sometimes, on account of 

 inaccessibility on a steep slope, old growth of seedling origin 

 persists. 



It is a slow-growing type, producing lumber, however, and 

 giving maximum yields as high as stands of pure chestnut but 

 at a greatly advanced age (one hundred to one hundred and 

 fifty years). 



Fig. 129. — The hemlock type, occurring in a swale on the summit of a ridge of trap rock. 

 The stand contains 10,000 to 15,000 feet, board measure, per acre. 



3. Hardwood Swamp. — In point of area this type ranks 

 second in importance, although probably less than ten per cent 

 of the total area is characterized by it. It occurs throughout 

 the region, but is most abundant along the Connecticut coast, 

 especially in the eastern half of the state and in Rhode Island. 



The soils are not well drained, and contain an excess of moisture. 

 Many of the swamps when drained make excellent agricultural 

 land, while others are too stony for such purposes. 



Soft maple is the leading tree in the type, often growing in 

 pure stands, especially in the wetter swamps but by no means 



