MARYLAXD GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 197 



which have come up to loblolly pine are now furnishing material more 

 valuable for lumber than any other purpose. 



It is believed that red, yellow, and black oak will find a place on the 

 market for piles, since they are no longer accepted for railroad ties, 

 especially if preservative treatment is resorted to. These oaks are never 

 used for poles, but are constantly used locally for piling in the con- 

 struction of private wharfs. 



Fence Timber and Staves. — Eed juniper is the principal species 

 used for fence posts, and is noted for its lasting cpialities in contact with 

 the soil. Sawmill men handle these posts at $20 per hundred, though 

 none are shipped out of the county. Boards for fence material are 

 largely cut from scrub and loblolly pines, and are quoted on the local 

 markets at $11 per thousand board feet. Clapboards are cut from red 

 gum, red oak, scrub pine, and loblolly pine. 



Formerly a large number of fence rails and posts were cut from 

 chestnut, but since this timber is becoming rather scarce in this county 

 farmers resort to red and black oaks, scrub pine, and loblolly pine. 



Staves for tobacco hogsheads are cut largely from scrub pine. Occa- 

 sionally loblolly pine and red gum are used. These staves are sold by 

 all sawmill men in the county and are 5 feet 4 inches long, and from 3 

 to 6 inches wide. They are quoted on the market at $8 per thousand 

 board feet. 



Destructive Influexces. 

 Forest Fires. — The forests of this county have been remarkably free 

 from destructive fires. There is no record of a tire having occurred 

 within the county which caused any severe damage to the forests. The 

 numerous streams of the county serve as natural firebreaks, being nearly 

 at right angles to the prevailing winds. These streams are usually bor- 

 dered by wet or damp soil and dense vegetation, which is scarcely ever 

 in condition to burn readily, and furnish impassable barriers to any 

 ordinary fire. The county is also so thoroughly cut up by areas cleared 

 for farm purposes that they, with the numerous wagon-roads throughout 



