^04 



JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



employees in some industrial establishment. In cases where large 

 tracts are acquired from lumber or timber companies this reduction in 

 population has to a large extent already taken place. 



Some of the mountain farm sites vacated are not again occupied. 

 Sometimes tumble-down shanties and cabins are demolished to pre- 

 vent occupation, because the site is unfavorable for a home. In other 

 instances the houses are reoccupied, or the farmer-owner himself re- 

 mains, but the occupancy from the time the. Government acquires 

 title is upon a different basis. In the course of the movement by 

 which the Government acquires title to an entire locality or watershed 

 it is readily seen that quite a complete local change may be effected. 



After the land is acquired by the Government and as the new Forests 

 are organized and developed there sets in a tendency for population 

 to increase, but upon a basis different from the old one. Men are re- 

 quired to build improvements, to aid in protecting and administering 

 the lands. They must live on or near the Forests and they must have 

 homes. Their dependence now is not entirely upon what they can 

 produce on the little mountain farms. It is only in part, sometimes 

 in small part, from that source. Another source of income is the 

 revenue they receive as employees of the Government. This may 

 not be large, but it helps the family to live and helps the localities 

 where there are a good many such families. 



The acquisition of this land by the Government gives many oppor- 

 tunities for making small timber sales. Small sales suit the Govern- 

 ment better than big ones and many of these local people become buy- 

 ers of Government timber, sometimes in a very small way. Numerous 

 sales are made for less than $ioo. Before Government ownership 

 was in effect there was no opportunity for small timber operators. 

 The only feasible operations were those requiring heavy investment 

 of capital and operated upon large tracts. Under Government own- 

 ership and administration small sales are the normal, natural develop- 

 ment and they suit the local people. Upon the new industrial basis 

 these people have the prospect of steady incomes from their labors, 

 the chance to become independent operators and to make a real 

 business success if they have any ability. 



With this situation, improved standards of living are coming in. 

 Homes are kept in better repair. Painted houses and touches of home 

 adornment are to be observed. Money is available for better food and 

 clothing. The life is different. The people are different. Yet it must 

 be remembered that these are the genuine Appalachian mountaineers 

 who, until a few years ago, had no outlet for their products and none 



