414 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



pasture and huckleberry crop. In fact, there ought to be little difficulty in arousing 

 sufficient interest in favor of forest protection to prevent the recurrence of forest fires 

 year after year. Indeed, it seems strange that so broad an area of land should be 

 neglected in the midst of such wealth, and with the interest of such a large number of 

 influential people involved. 



Bordering the mainland there are large bays which are separated from the ocean 

 by a narrow strip of sand beach. These beaches consist of fine sand ; but there is 

 little serious shifting, except in cases where the sand threatens to clog up inlets. 

 These beaches are mostly held in place by beach-grass and bayberry, and in several 

 places by a low arboreal growth. There are no menacing dunes as in France, although 

 the principles of sand-fixation and betterment might be advantageously applied in 

 many instances on these beaches. At Easthampton there are many fine estates close 

 to the shore. Although exposed to the ocean winds, many varieties of trees are 

 growing there luxuriantly. It shows what is possible on a sandy soil close to the sea. 

 One may travel a long distance in this country before he finds a more attractive resort. 

 In fact, in the neatness, good taste, skill and care which are bestowed upon it, it rivals 

 and reminds one of the charming resorts on the sands along the coasts of Holland and 

 France. Aside from its extremely favorable location, with good transportation facili- 

 ties both by rail and water, with its great diversity of soil and its population of 

 wealthy and intelligent citizens, Long Island is of special interest to the botanist. 



It is practically the northernmost extension of the Carolinian zone — it is the spot, 

 if such a spot actually exists, where the North and South meet. It is the place 

 where many southern species lose their hold. Many plants which are common in 

 New Jersey are either extremely scarce, or do not exist at all on Long Island. 



Pinics ecJiinata, the short-leaf or smooth-bark pine, which is so common in New 

 Jersey, occurs on Staten Island, and perhaps here and there on Long Island. It is, 

 however, extremely scarce. Long Island has been long settled, and there has been 

 for many years much cutting and burning. This may account for the scarcity of a 

 few species. 



As one moves northward, however, through the Atlantic coastal plain, one species 

 supersedes another, and as one enters Long Island from New Jersey, the short-leaf 

 pine gives way to the pitch pine (Pinits rigidd). The pitch pine, in company with a 

 few hardy coppice oaks, forms the growth on much of this sandy land. 



Pinus Virginiana, the scrub-pine, which is common also in Jersey, does not, I 

 believe, reach Long Island at all ; although it may be found on Staten Island. 



CJiamaecyparis thyoides is very common in southern Jersey ; in fact, nothing is 

 more characteristic of this region than the dense dark swamps of this cedar. This 

 tree may be found on Long Island ; in fact, even as far north as the southern coast of 



