58 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMITTEE 



clean cutting in a portion of the region has denuded mountain slopes, for example, 

 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Natural seeding of poplar and 

 birch has produced valuable forests of these species on burns in this region, but 

 repeated fires have created waste areas. Forest planting in the spruce region is 

 not at present considered practicable as a general method of reproducing forests, 

 since natural reproduction is abundant. For the most part, therefore, natural 

 seeding will be depended upon to secure a new crop.f Planting is, however, 

 advised in the old field < spruce type, one of the subordinate types, as the best 

 means of reproduction. 



Forest planting finds its principal use within this region for stocking burned 

 lands that are not reproducing with valuable species. Since native spruce is not 

 rapid in growth, the introduced Norway spruce is recommended. Its use in the 

 United States has been chiefly for ornamental planting, but there have been 

 instances in which it has been planted for commercial purposes. Its rate of 

 growth is shown to be very rapid in a small planting, 34 years old, on the 

 BilHngs' estate in Vermont. This plantation is estimated to have grown an 

 average of a cord and a half per year. Tests of trees from this plantation have 

 proved that the wood makes a good quality of paper. It is not a difficult tree 

 to propagate in the nursery. The average cost of raising the tiees and making 

 a plantation with four-year-old transplants of Norway spruce, spaced 6x6 feet 

 apart, is approximately $10 per acre.* An objection to the Norway spruce has 

 been pointed out, namely, that it seems to deteriorate after 50 years. Owing to 

 its rapid growth, this does not hinder its use in commercial planting for the 

 production of pulp wood, but may affect its value as a large timber producer. 



The Northern Hardivoods Region adjoins the spruce region, and is hilly 

 rather than mountainous. The principal species are those mentioned above, 

 including also a small percentage of white ash, basswood and red oak. The soils 

 are of good quality, and the region is generally more settled. The forest is not 

 continuous, but woodland forms a part of nearly every farm, ranging in area 

 from a few acres to several hundred. Woodlots have a larger average area in 

 northern New England than in the southern part. Planting at present is applicable 

 to open faTm lands not needed for agricultural purposes. It will also be useful 

 in the conversion of inferior hardwood forests into a more valuable coniferous 

 type.t The region contains no extensive areas of sandy waste lands. The purpose 

 of planting is chiefly the production of commercial timber, and should largely be 

 carried out by farm owners in the region, individually, or by communities, 

 Species of value for planting are white pine, red pine, European larch, Norway 

 spruce, white ash and basswood. 



i The White Pine Region of the Northeast has been so named from one of 

 its chief species of trees. White pine is to be found in the spruce region and 

 associated with trees of the northern hardwood region. It is not, however a 



t "Forestry in New England," by Hawes and Hawley, 1912. 



* "How to Grow and Plant Conifers in the Northeastern States," by C R Pettis Rnll 

 76, U. S. Department of Agriculture. j ■ ■ o, uu.i, 



t "Forestry in New England," by Hawes and Hawley. 1912 

 t Ibid., 1912. 



