16 



The main source of mine timbers in the future will largely be the 

 Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Mines located far from this 

 source of supplies will have increasing difficulty in securing mine props 

 at a reasonable cost, and it is essential that forest planting should be 

 commenced at once, before the supply from local woodlots is exhausted. 



There is no lack of suitable sites for forest planting. Throughout 

 this region there is much land lacking in fertility, or too steep to be 

 farmed profitably. In addition, on the outskirts of the various coal 

 veins, lands are common on which the surface has been broken in 

 mining. 



Considering the loss of income from waste farm lands in the hands 

 of coal companies, the feasibility of increasing the sale value of such 

 lands and the great need of pit props and timber in mining operations, 

 the advisability of forest planting is established beyond doubt. 

 Extensive activity in forest planting throughout the region will result 

 in a great saving, to be realized by returns within a relatively short 

 time and with a small initial outlay. 



