THE SPROUT HARDWOODS REGION 373 



tain streams pure for drinking purposes rather than for regulat- 

 ing stream flow.^ To supply the dense population with water 

 there are many private and municipal water companies, whose 

 watersheds should be forested, unless the water is filtered. 



Summary. 



1. This is a manufacturing region, with agriculture second 

 and lumbering of subordinate importance. 



2. It is a hardwood region, without virgin timber, the forest 

 being of sprout origin, and with the woodland mainly in small 

 holdings. 



3. There is a large per cent of the area which is true forest 

 soil, and this when properly managed will go far toward produc- 

 ing the amount of wood needed by the region. 



4. Market conditions are so good as to place the region, so 

 far as New England is concerned, second only to the white pine 

 region in offering possibilities for the practice of forestry. 



' See explanation given under northern hardwoods region. 



