PREFACE 



hemlock in solid dark masses, which give it, particu- 

 larly in winter, a distinctive character not found in 

 regions where the woods are of a mure varied make- 

 up. 



Ten years ago this region could boast a very re- 

 spectable area of old growth forest, not the original 

 uncleared primeval forest, to be sure, but the next 

 best thing to it, straight, smooth-stemmed pines 

 whose tops were one hundred feet or more above the 

 earth ; and, between these, shorter hemlocks with 

 dense, almost impenetrable foliage and sturdy trunks 

 three or four feet in diameter which sheltered in 

 their turn the coming generation of saplings spring- 

 ing into life between the prostrate forms of a still 

 older forest. 



But by far the larger part of these woods has 

 been cleared since then, and that which remains un- 

 touched seems somehow to have lost much of its fas- 

 cinating wildness. Still as fast as the woods are 

 cleared away nc-iv ones are constantly springing up 

 to take their place, so that the actual area covered 



