34 Forestry Quarterly. 



79,213 acres in Blount and Sevier counties, Tennessee, on the 

 watershed of Little River, a tributary of the Tennessee. 



The report of the Geological Survey has not yet been submitted 

 with regard to the White Mountain area, but this report is 

 expected to be submitted in the spring after completion of the 

 detailed study which is now being made in that section. 



Owing to the complexity of the situation, involving particularly 

 the difficulties of surveys and titles, the work of purchase is neces- 

 sarily progressing slowly. However, distinct progress is being 

 made and the way now seems definitely clear for the establishment 

 of considerable areas of National Forest land in the Eastern 

 States. 



The following extract is from a report submitted by the Geo- 

 logical Survey with regard to conditions in a specific section of 

 the Southern Appalachian Mountain region. The report is based 

 primarily upon field work by Mr. F. B. Laney, Assistant Geo- 

 logist. 



Erosion in Natural State. 



In this region south-facing mountain slopes are always drier, 

 carry a scantier growth, have much less protection by leaf mould 

 or forest mat, and are more susceptible to the action of frost than 

 the north-facing slope of the same mountains. Because of these 

 facts alone south slopes are always more readily washed and con- 

 sequently are more in need of protection from the active agents of 

 erosion than are north slopes. 



Rainfall. — This area is one in which the annual rainfall exceeds 

 sixty inches. The months of June, July and August are marked 

 by the heaviest while October and November show the lightest 

 rainfall. The summer rains are generally heavy and frequent 

 downpours of short duration, while the fall rains are likely to be 

 slow and steady and to extend over periods of from one to three 

 days. These facts are worthy of consideration from their effects 

 upon erosion of the land and the silting of stream channels. The 

 custom of the mountain people is to burn the woods in the spring, 

 and as a result the soil, stripped of its protecting cover of leaves 

 and vegetable mould in the beginning of the season of heaviest 

 rainfall, is left loose and bare and in excellent condition to receive 

 the maximum damage from the hard, beating downpour. Soil, 

 loosened on the hillside, is carried down into the swift little stream 

 at the base of the slope and finally comes to rest in the channel of 

 the main stream to which the mountain brook is tributary. It is 

 always the short, heavy showers that do the greatest amount of 

 washing. The mountain slopes are so steep, and the rain falls so 



