The Forests in Early Days 15 



People now look upon a forest as a friend, but 

 to the first settlers it seemed more like a foe. It 

 must be subdued before they could fully enjoy 

 their new homes. So they made clearings around 

 their cabins. And as soon as they could do so, they 

 turned the woodlands into fields, and the fields, 

 increasing in number, were soon expanded into 

 farms. In the clearings, between the dead and 

 dying trees, they planted Indian corn, pumpkins, 

 and beans. 



At that time there were many wild animals 

 in the woods deer and bears, foxes, and wolves. 

 Squirrels and rabbits were plentiful, too, as were 

 also wild turkeys, partridges, and quail; and 

 there were wild pigeons so numerous that when 

 a great flock took flight it seemed to darken the 

 sky. Many of these animals and game birds were 

 easily killed and helped to supply the settlers 

 with good food. 



