9 8 



No. 4, St. Lawrence Company, Greenbrier County, 1883. 



As to the cause of their death: 

 No. i, answers: Don't know; worms. 

 No. 2, answers: Everybody gives it up. 

 No. 3> answers: The general opinion is on account of drought. 



The "Pine" generally grows in rocky places, and there was 



not dampness enough to keep the trees alive. 

 No. 4, answers: Two very dry summers in succession. 



Are the trees dying at the present time: 

 No. i, answers: Yes, to some extent. 

 No. 2,* answers: It is said not. Said death is checked. 

 No. 3, answers: Not more than common. 

 No. 4, answers: No. 



How long does the timber continue to die in one locality? 

 No. i, answers: About three or four years: 

 No. 2, answers: Generally one season. 

 No. 3, answers: Two years: 

 No. 4, answers: About three years. 



What proportion of the timber in your locality is now dead? 

 No. i, answers: One-fourth. 

 No. 2, answers: Twenty-five per cent. 

 No. 3, answers: The highest points of timber. 

 No. 4, answers: 15 per cent. 



What is the present value of standing dead trees for lumber, and 

 what is the probable time in which they may yet be profitably 

 worked. 

 No. i, answers: - About equal value for three years: After that 



time it very rapidly deteriorates. 



No. 2, answers: It depends on time of cutting after date. 

 No. 3, answers: The dead timber is as good for lumber as if it was 



green. It will be good for a year yet. 

 No. 4, answers: About two-thirds of the value of green timber. 



Will be good yet for four or five years. 



Mr. Hugh Maxwell, of Tucker County, an observing and intelli- 

 gent gentleman, answers as follows: 



"I can state two or three facts: 

 i st. The spruce timber in the affected districts is nearly all dead. 



There are certain strips, however, unaffected. 

 2nd. They use the dead timber for pulp from which to make paper. 



This is now an extensive industry here. 

 3rd. It is the prevailing opinion here that the death of the trees is 



due to parasites. 

 4th. It seems that wild cherry is replacing the dying spruce." 



PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS. 



Trips were made in all directions from Cheat Bridge. Dead trees 

 were examined in all stages of decay. Stumps and tops examined 

 in cuttings of 1884, 1887, 1888, 1889 and 1890. Their condition as 

 to insect attacks and decay and the time of year in which the tim- 



