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meadows and marshes which at average flow of the stream 
are several feet above its surface, but which at flood time 
are occasionally submerged for short periods, the whole 
valley being a very interesting illustration of the behavior 
of a small stream with a large water-shed at and about its 
sources. Considerable areas of the marshy land have al- 
ready been reclaimed by filling, and by the lowering of the 
dam forming the water-fall at the mansion; the general 
plan contemplates a much further reduction in the amount 
of marshy ground, and a further lowering and deepening 
of the river by dredging, in order to take off freshets with 
greater rapidity. A part of this flood plain is occupied by 
the plantations of willows and poplars already described, 
and these will be considerably extended, but large areas of 
meadow will be left in their natural condition. 
South of these open meadows, the valley of the river is 
much narrower and is occupied by several acres of charac- 
teristic river woods, containing a considerable variety of 
native trees and shrubs, extending south as far as the long 
driveway bridge near the northern end of the hemlock 
forest. 
13. Deciduous Woodlands 
The natural deciduous woodlands of the reservation are, 
collectively, over 40 acres in area, mostly in the central and 
southern portions of the tract, where they occupy rocky 
ridges and some of the valleys between these ridges. Along 
the Bronx River, from the boulder bridge north to the north 
meadows, are several acres of river woods, subject to over- 
flow at freshet periods. The woodlands contain many 
species of native trees and a much greater number of kinds 
of native shrubs and herbaceous plants; the undergrowth 
is, locally, very dense. They are typical illustrations of 
forests of our part of the country, and are treated and 
protected as such. Dead and decrepit trees are removed 
and dead branches pruned off from time to time; where 
necessary, young trees are planted to replace those cut out; 
the woods are patrolled to guard against forest fires. All 
