TIMBER. 321 



Black and white spruce, found among- the valleys in the central and 

 northern portions of this region, covering a considerable area. 



Burr-oak (Quercus macrocarpa), in small groves on the eastern slope, 

 near the foothills. 



White elm (Ulmus Americana), associated with the burr-oak, occurs 

 along the valleys of the streams near the eastern and southeastern foot- 

 hills. 



Aspen, white birch, ash, mulberry, box-elder (negundo), iron-wood 

 (horn-beam), and juniper grow sparingly in different parts of the Hills, 

 but are of little comparative value. 



The pine forests cover so extensive an area and will yield so large a 

 proportion of the timber, that all the other trees combined may be neglected 

 in comparison, though they will be found valuable in the future develop- 

 ment of the country. The Norway pine is a tall, straight tree, free from 

 limbs for one-half its height from the ground. The wood is white, soft, 

 with a straight, somewhat coarse grain, free from knots, and splitting 

 readily into " shakes," shingles, or other similar forms. The sap is more 

 resinous than that of the white pine, and in this respect this variety 

 approaches more nearly the pitch-pine of North Carolina, a tree whicli it 

 somewhat resembles in its style of growth. 



The transverse strength of the wood is not so great as that of white 

 pine, but by proper care in using it in construction this deficiency can be 

 compensated for and practically obviated. 



On the bottom-lands in the lower valley of French Creek specimens 

 of this pine were seen that were fully 100 feet in height, and would 

 measure 35 to 40 inches through at the ground. Trees of these large 

 dimensions are, however, rare in the Hills. Timber of from 12 to 24 

 inches diameter is common, while extensive tracts are covered bv a dense 

 forest of small slender pines from 50 to 60 feet high, and rarely less than 8 

 or more than 12 inches through at the ground. 



The pine forests in the Black Hills, where the trees are of mature 

 growth and uninjured by wind or fire, will furnish good straight saw logs 

 from 30 to 50 feet in length and very uniform in thickness, with a gradual 

 taper, averaging in diameter from 12 to 20 inches. 

 21 B H 



