FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 219 



Topography. As the name implies, the reservation is situated in the 

 Highlands of the Hudson, and the topograph} 7 is decidedly rugged. Moun- 

 tains ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 feet rise sharply from the tide level of 

 the Hudson and from their summits the general level of the mountain 

 tops back from the river is clearly seen. 



The slopes are for the most part steep and, where not upheld by the 

 solid rock, are frequently composed of talus. 



Gneiss is the principal rock underlying the region, though some schist 

 and an occasional intrusion of trap are found. Iron ore is also found in 

 considerable quantity. 



Soil. The soil is chiefly a sandy loam containing a considerable amount 

 of gravel. In depth it varies from medium to very shallow. Spots can 

 be seen on the mountain tops where the vegetation has been burned up 

 by the intense heat of the sun on the thin soil, as only a few inches of earth 

 cover the solid rock. 



Drainage. The area is drained by numerous creeks, practically all of 

 which empty into the Hudson within the boundary. Chief among them 

 may be mentioned Buttermilk and Queensborough brooks and Popolopon 

 creek. Numerous ponds and lakes are to be found, varying in size from a 

 few acres to several hundred in extent. The drainage as a whole can be 

 considered excellent, but a few marshes and bogs being found. 



Types. Of the 30,410 acres under consideration, 27,354 are covered 

 with timber or woody growth, approximately 90 per cent. This is almost 

 entirely a hardwood type; in a few instances conifers, noticeably hemlock, 

 were to be found; but neither the percentage present nor the area covered 

 were considered sufficient to create a new, or change the existing type. 



On the accompanying map it will be seen that the basis for division 

 is, stand per acre, in cords. At first, an attempt was made to type map 

 on the basis of " age classes; " but so many instances were found where, 

 on account of unfavorable soil conditions, or fire damage, which seriously 

 checked the growth of the stand, no safe idea of age could be gained from 

 the size of the tree, that the stand basis was adopted. In addition, for 

 the purposes of management, the present stand, rather than age, would 

 seem preferable; and in specific cases, age, current annual growth, etc., 

 could be ascertained as desired. 



