8o GEOI^OGICAIv SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



is very poor. One hundred acres in the southern part was cut 

 off last year. The best timber is said to be near White Bridge, 

 but good timber was also noted near the northeast end of the 

 swamp, elsewhere the larger and better trees have been cut out. 

 This cutting has been especially severe during the last lo 

 years. In the valley, along the river above Chatham, the most 

 of the timber is either close to the stream or in widely separated 

 clumps, much of the valley being under cultivation. A good 

 deal was noted ranging from 6 to 24 inches in diameter and from 

 30 to 50 feet in height, but some is smaller. Generally this 

 valley timber is thrifty and better than that on the adjoining 

 ridges. The best of it is just west of New Providence. There 

 is almost no chestnut here. 



In the northern part of the valley it is estimated that swamp 

 land timber of the older and heavier growth is worth, on an 

 average, about $50 per acre, and upland timber of about the 

 same age, JjSioo per acre, supposing, in each case, that the timber 

 is mostly oak and hickory. It was claimed that stump land was 

 worth from $20 to $40 per acre, but this estimate evidently does 

 not consider swamp lands, which are generally worth less than 

 this after the timber is cut off. Here, as in, other portions of the 

 State, the ordinary rule is followed to estimate for 30 years' 

 growth a yield of 30 cords per acre, and thereafter about one 

 cord per acre for each year that the timber has been growing. 

 Observation seemed to indicate that most of the timber grows 

 less rapidly after reaching about 30 years of age, and the largest 

 yield is thought to be obtained by cutting it between 30 and 40 

 years old, especially if the growth is largely chestnut, as this 

 timber often deteriorates as it grows older. There is some 

 difference of opinion as to whether this deterioration ' is, or is 

 not, increased by continual reproduction from the old stirmps 

 without re-seeding, but the general trend of opinion is that this 

 is at least increasing the tendency of chestnut to decay at the 

 heart. If this is the cause it will be advisable to begin re-seed- 

 ing when timber is cut off. 



WATCHUNG MOUNTAINS. 



These two trap ridges have from 40 to 60 per cent, of their 

 entire area covered with forest, the average being not far from 



