180 RIVER LIFE. 



several times on a succession of falls, where are numerous saw- 

 mills ; and, finally, after having leaped a thousand rocky preci- 

 pices above, and struggled through as many gates and sluice- 

 ways below, it quietly flows on to the Passamaquoddy Bay, where 

 its restless waters find repose in the bosom of the Atlantic Ocean. 



In regard to the lumbering resources on this river, I believe it 

 is generally admitted that the supply of Pine is comparatively 

 small, the principal part having already been brought to market ; 

 and although the territory belonging to this river is large, still 

 its resources are curtailed by the proximity of the head-waters 

 of the St. John, Penobscot, and Machias Rivers. 



The comparative scarcity of Pine timber has induced the man- 

 ufacture of a much larger proportion of Spruce than formerly ; 

 still it is presumed that the same amount of Pine lumber now 

 annually cut may continue to be for years to come. Should Hem- 

 lock come into more general use, the resources of the lumbermen 

 will be greatly augmented, as timber of this kind abounds on the 

 St. Croix. And why may not this be the case ? For many pur- 

 poses Hemlock lumber is preferred to Pine. A gentleman ia 

 Bangor informed the writer that he had, from choice, made use 

 of Hemlock boards for nice floors to a residence recently built for 

 himself, esteeming it richer in color, less liable to indentation, and 

 of greater durability. "With the exception of Pine, the resources 

 for lumber on this river are still very considerable, and must con- 

 tinue to be for many years, unless sweeping fires shall blacken 

 and wither the beautiful forests which now adorn the interior. 

 Vast tracts of timber land have already been destroyed by fire 

 on the territory belonging to this river, as the blanched trunks 

 of standing trees, and barren hill country surrounding Bailey- 

 ville. Baring, Calais, and St. Stephen's, most painfully indicate, 

 greatly marring the beautiful scenery which once adorned the 

 valley through which the river flows. 



Lumber manufactured on this river may be considered as both 



