Naushon Island, Mass.
1900
May 20, 21
(No 4)
  The central part of the island from shore to shore
and lengthwise for a distance of rather more than a mile
is open and rolling with practically no trees save the pines
already mentioned, some larches (also planted by Mr. Forbes)
and, in the hollows, an occasional cluster of birches.
There are many large boulders scattered about. The soil
is very sandy and supports only a scanty growth of
wild grasses, Hudsonia and various plants which flourish 
in such barren places. There are also extensive patches 
of bay berry and huckleberry bushes.
Treeless
plains &
moors
  At the north-eastern end of the island the grounds
immediately about the houses have been highly cultivated
for many years and here in addition to lawns and various
exotic kinds of shrubs one finds birches and other 
species of trees not native to the island.
Cultivated
areas.
  There are a great many shallow ponds
scattered about through the woods and near the
houses two or three large & deep enough to contain
a good number & variety of fresh-water fishes.
Ponds.
  I saw only one marsh and that did not exceed a
dozen acres in extent. It contained a patch of 
Phragmites and the rose mallow is said to
abound about its edges.
  In connection with what I have said of the
trees I should have mentioned that along the
edges of the woods, especially near the shores, there
are many oaks and birches of curiously distorted shapes.
Some have low, flat, or umbrella-shaped tops; others
spread out or extend in one direction only, close to
the ground. The wind evidently shears or prunes 
them down. 
Trees kept
pruned by
the winds.
89