The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-02-08
Mr.. ElliOtt's Report on the Cook Lands
TO Governor Tener,

| lhuus lOT d'puullC phIhs DelOW We give
an instsllment of the report of State For
estry Commissioner S. b. Elliott, who
made an examination of the property at
the request of Governor Stuart. The re-
port is in form as it is to be laid before
Governor Tener. 1t is very lengthy aud
will be printed in two installments:
Report of examination of proposed
State Park, located in Jefferson, Clarion
aud Forest Counties, Pa, belonging to A.
w. Cook and others.
Carrying out the understanding be-
tween ourselves and Governor Stuart,
visited during the last days of Dec, 1910,
the region OF the proposed State Park,
situated in Jefferson, Clarion and Forest
counties, in this State. Owing to causes
not necessary to relate | was able to
make only partial examination which,
however, was sufficient to justify me in
deciding that the project was subject
worthy of serious and careful considera-
ton, and one that should be gone into
more fully than have been able to do.
hdlS b6 ctCultu Win uoldllS VI
acreage OF the different character and
varied condition of soil, surface and for
est covering, and also the exterior boun-
daries, streams, roads, etc. The map
shown me contained but little of this in
formation.
In the main the surface of the tract,
which l understand contains about 10000
acres, is plateau, with such notifications
as the erosion ofcompsrstively recent geo.
logic times has brought about over large
part of our State. The tract is traversed
by the Clarion river, down which, from
far above this point much lumber
has, in the past, been tloated to Pitts
burg or other markets lower down. The
river here has cut its way down fully 400
feet below the general average surface Of
the plateau, with, in some cases, precip-
itous sides, and others gentle slopes.
The general course of the river where it
passes through the tract is slightly south
and west, although it is very crooked
and places can be found where it runs to-
wards nearly every point of the compass.
1t has several small tributaries, which are
located on both sides, and these have,
where they join it, cut their way down to
the rivers level. These form, in most in
stances, easy and convenient routes Of
access to the latter.
The main surface of the plateau is gent
ly rolling, and except In the ravines,
varying not much more than 75 or 100
feet in elevation but still with rough
irregulsrity TO bring about a wonderfully
! charming variety of surface and ever
changing landscape. The average height
OF the plateau is about l,5O0 feet above
tide. AS one approaches the Clarion
river, which in some places is really a
gorge, and there catches a glimpse of the
winding streams, there is a sudden
change from repose and quiet to wild and
picturesque surroundings, and the tran
sition is so sudden that 1t intensfies the
beauty of the entire landscape. When
once in the valley of the Clarion river the
whole scene is transformed Here steep
and gentle slopes alternate and little level
ground is to be seen. In some places
both abrupt aad gentle declivities come
down to the rivers very edge, while in
others there are little areas which barely
give room for roadway; and, again. 9TH
ers of several acres in extent of practical
ly level ground, the latter in strong con-
trast to the rugged rocks which show
their heads high up on the steep hillsides
Any one seeking the repose and quiet
which an approximately level region
formed of gentle slopes and quiet dales
can give, and "where distance lends en-.
chantment to the view," may find all
that the heart desires in the higher por-
tions ofthe tract, while one who seeks the
stimulus which wild fantastic region
affords may crafty that craving along the
winding and rapid flowing Clarion river
and he who seeks Lodge in some vas
wilderness, some boundless contiguity
of shade" can indulge that wish in the
dense virgin forests which cover not only
the upland but both the abrupt and gen
tie slopes which border the river and the
tributaries which enter it. For varied
scenery the region has few equals and ne
superiors.
While l concede to it picturesque anC
charming scenic features l do not look
upon them as the most valuable ones. 1t:
forest features, its dense and vigorous
growth of the most valuable species o
trees, make it one of the most important
tracts of timber land to be found in our
State, and for its size, and without a su,
perior east of the Rocky Maintains anG
north of Mason and Dixon's Line. Quite
large area of it is covered with dense
virgin forest, mainly composed of white
pine, yet with some first-class hemlock
and hardwoods intermingle. The ak o
the lumberman has never invaded this
There are many acres of it that will yielC
for 40, 600 to 10000 feet, board measure
per acre and the trees are still vigorous
and healthy; and it will be long time
before they will naturally decline. Ii
most cases the pines run from two t
three feet in diameter and from 100 to l2j
feet in height, and will allow three anC
sometimes four l6 foot logs to be cut be
fore limb is reached. This portion is
in full measure, an exemplification of th,
poets idea of a Forest primeval," ant
as it is very doubtful II there remains il
the United States an equal area of such
stand of white pine, it would be a publ
calamity and little short of State vandsl
ism to permit its destruction. 1t shoul
be allowed to grow on and thus become
living monument illustrating Pennsyl
vanias former greatness of forest wealth
White pine is indigenous to North Amer