Adirondack Beaver 169 



where they do not at present exist, and where food and other con- 

 ditions are thought favorable for their propagation." (Cf. Riley '21). 



It is evident that one valuable use of beavers where harmful or 

 where regions are overstocked would be to transport them to other 

 suitable localities that need stocking, so that the entire x\dirondacks 

 could be made as productive as possible of beaver fur. 



It is clearly evident that the beaver problem should not be handled 



♦ hastily and drastically in the supposed interests of a few, when the 



State as a whole has so much at stake. Further investigations should 



be made in order to devise the best methods of using this valuable 



resource to the best advantage. 



The possible revenue derivable from the beaver raises the question 

 as to whether or not it is economically wise to attempt to grow timber 

 on lands potentially suitable for beaver, when a fur crop worth over 

 $50,000.00 per year can be grown on such lands. It will require 

 about 40 years to mature a crop of timber on these lands, and 

 $50,000.00 annually for 40 years totals $2,000,000.00. 



Summary and Conclusions 



In summarizing the results of this preliminary field study I con- 

 clude that the chief objection to the beaver in the Adirondacks at 

 the present time is raised in connection with the destruction of 

 timber; their relation to trout fishing; and the flooding of and injury 

 to private lands or grounds, especially along water fronts near 

 cottages and camps. 



In some localities considerable damage to timber has resulted from 

 beaver dams, and some difficulties have been caused to logging com- 

 panies in moving their logs. In other localities the injury to timber 

 has been insignificant and is not likely to increase, because of the 

 character of the streams or their banks, or because there is no timber 

 to damage. While occasionally valuable coniferous trees are affected, 

 the bulk of the timber damaged consists of such soft woods as black 

 spruce and balsam fir, and this is the basis for the main complaints 

 of those interested in pulp wood. Many hardwood trees are often 

 killed ; but while they have a potential value they are not generally 

 lumbered in these districts. 



Beaver floodings or flows constitute only one of a number of 

 sources of damage to timber, and the total destruction from this 

 agency is not so great as from such factors as either windfall or fire, 

 and is restricted to certain watercourses and the bordering lowland. 



