TAX LANDS AND FORESTRY. 87 



I have a woodlot of forty acres from which I had cut all the large 

 timber years ago. Today there is a heavy growth, mostly basswood, six 

 inches in diameter and from twenty-flve to thirty feet in height. 



In my opinon, all the land in Chippewa county would reforest natur- 

 ally if protected from trespass and fire. 



Very truly yours, 



Simon Parker. 



Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., March 16, 1908. 



I am operating a little on the sandy plains in Chippewa county to- 

 day! all of which would reforest if protected from fire. Small or large 

 white pine will stand more fire than hemlock, spruce or tamarack. All 

 timber is in danger, on the plains at least, from fire. There is con- 

 siderable white pine in barren places all over this territory that I 

 speak of. Fire runs through every few years killing it off. 



Nature will seed all of our soil and would grow to timber if pro- 

 tected from the fire. On the sandy plains, moss, or some such sub- 

 stance, accumulates and fire once started will sweep through it killing 

 everything. 



None of our lands have been cut over clean, but much of them have 

 been burned clean. They would not remain barren long if fire was kept 

 from them. 



The first growth of these burnt-over plains Seems to be pople or Jack 

 pine, but this in turn protects the other varieties which springs up 

 later. 



Yours truly, 

 Walter W. Sykes. 



Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., March 31, 1908. 



I have walked through old choppings where white or Norway pine 

 had grown, in every county of the Upper Peninsula. In nearly every 

 chopping visited I have seen evidence of an attempt on the part of 

 nature to reforest where pine had existed before. The first growth after 

 the chopping would be dwarfed and hybrid trees of some sorts, and 

 other bushes. When these had grown to a sufficient height to furnish 

 shade and conserve moisture, I have seen the young pines start up and 

 grow vigorously. 



At the south 'end of Sugar Island, in this county, white pine is re- 

 foresting itself nicely. This is true of a great many places in the Upper 

 Peninsula and instances can be pointed out in every county. 



Yours very truly. 



Chase S. Osborn. 



