384 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



important ones. The upper spruce slope type embraces the higher portions of 

 the hills and ridges and no lumbering was recommended for it, the land being set 

 apart as "Summit Reserve," and so named upon the map. The pine land type 

 is small in area and is found only upon Township 5, but is important as an 

 additional asset to be obtained from the township. 



Spruce Land. — The spruce land type covers the well-drained portions of three 

 townships, embracing practically all the land above the swamp except the tops of 

 the higher hills, which, as stated, are set apart as summit reserves. Spruce land 

 is characterized by a mixed forest of spruce and hardwoods. The predominant 

 trees are red spruce, yellow birch, sugar maple, beech, balsam and hemlock, with a 

 scattering of ash, black cherry, basswood and elm, and, on the lower portions, 

 occasionally a white pine. 



Spruce land is commercially the most important type, forming about seventy 

 per cent of the merchantable area in each of the three townships. On some of 

 the slopes, especially in Township 41, are stands of pure spruce of large size and 

 excellent quality. The most favorable situation for this species seems to be a 

 southwestern slope of moderate steepness. The greater part of the balsam on the 

 spruce land type is found on the lower part of the slopes near the streams, while 

 the hardwoods do best midway on the slopes of the higher ridges or on the 

 well-drained, rolling land near the lakes. On the higher slopes more exposed to 

 the wind the spruce differs somewhat from that at lower levels. The trees are 

 shorter and the limbs farther clown the trunk, rendering them of less commercial 

 value than those from which long, straight, clear boles can be obtained. 



The forest floor over the greater part of the spruce land type is covered by a 

 fairly deep layer of humus. On the surface of the ground is a covering of leaf 

 litter and duff, above which in many places is an undergrowth of witch hobble 

 and the two low maples — the striped maple or moose wood and the mountain or 

 spotted maple. 



The first growth to come in on the burned-over areas, most of which fall 

 within the limits of spruce land, consists of the aspens, wild cherry, and paper 

 birch. Under these trees the spruce and balsam spring up, eventually forming a 

 pure stand of conifers, or, with the broadleaf trees, a mixed forest. 



Swamp. — The swamp type includes the low-lying land bordering many of the 

 streams and some of the lakes. It differs from spruce land in the proportion of 

 spruce in mixture with other trees. On the swamp the balsam plays a very 

 important part in the mixture. Here also is found the greater part of the white 

 pine. 



