THE SPRUCE INVESTIGATION. 



233 



reference to extensive dying of spruce timber was that from 

 Col. E. Hutton, who stated that the timber commenced to die 

 in the Cheat region, (Shaver's Fork of Cheat) between 1880 

 and 1882, while Mr. Hambric fixes the date as October, 1882, for 



the same locality. 1 



In 1883, the men that were 



cutting and pealing spruce 

 timber along the survey be- 

 tween Fairfax and Davis, 

 found the green bark filled 

 with little worms and bugs,- 

 and in 1884, the timber was 

 found to be dying along the 

 railroad.;! It is therefore evi- 

 dent that the timber com- 

 menced to die in this region in 

 1883, and possibly in 1882. 4 

 We have another statement, 

 however, that there was 

 scarcely any dead timber in 

 the Blackwater-region in 1884 

 and 1885; 5 and another state- 

 ment that the first timber was 

 observed dying here in 1886; 6 

 while others say that it com- 

 menced in 1887. Capt. Par- 

 sons, however, had a better 

 opportunity in the pursuit of 

 his duties as civil engineer, to 

 observe the conditions, and 

 we are inclined to believe 

 that he is nearer correct than 

 the others, and that it really 

 commenced to die here in 



Fig. XXI. Dead Spruce Timber, near 

 Cheat Bridge. 



1. See also Bulletin 17. 



2. Information from Capt. Parsons. 



3. Information from Mr. Ruffner. 



4. Col. E. Hutton. 



5. Blackwater Lumber Co. 



6. St Laurence Lumber Co. 



