NEW EIVER BASIN. 65 



KNOB FORK DISTRICT (gRAYSON COUNTY, VA.). 



Boundaries. On the north, the summit pi Iron Mountain; on the east, the 

 Stevens Creek divide; on the south and west, the Elk Creek divide. 



Area. Total, 18.50 square miles; cleared, 8 square miles; wooded, 10.50 

 square miles. 



Surface. Rolling to mountainous. 



Soil. Derived from gneiss and schists, the soil is a light-colored loam, 

 clayey in the valley and porous on the ridges. 



Agricultural value. The soil is naturally fertile, but quickh' loses its value 

 under corn cultivation, as erosion is rapid. About 2,500 acres are adapted to 

 permanent agriculture. 



Timber trees. Chestnut, 25 per cent; chestnut oak, 15 per cent; white oak, 

 15 per cent; red oak, 5 per cent; hickory, 5 per cent; scarlet oak, 5 per cent; 

 black oak, 3 per cent; hemlock, 2 per cent; other species, 25 per cent. 



Yield. hog timber, 6,944 M feet B. M.; small wood, 101,920 cords. 



Demand. Only the best of the log timber is marketable, because of the 

 distance from the railroad. One dollar per thousand feet is a common price on 

 the stump. 



Accessibility. A new market is being opened for this timber on the branch 

 of the Norfolk and Western Railway in New River Valley. The haul will be 

 about 10 miles, over a rough and hilly wagon road. The land itself is not 

 especiall}' difficult to log. 



Fire. On the south slope of Iron Mountain slight fires have been frequent 

 almost annual. Elsewhere the wood lots are protected by clearings. 



Second growth. About half of the forest has a good stand of saplings; on 

 the remainder second growth is deficient because of fire and grazing. 



Undergrowth. Light, especially on the south slope of Iron Mountain where 

 subdued by fire. 



Reproduction. Naturally free. 



Water power. Limited; Knob Fork will furnish onl}' enough for local saw 

 and grist mills. 



Ownership. Divided among resident farmers. 



Occupancy . KhoMt 45 families are living on this tract. 



Prices of land. Mountain lands are worth from $1 to $2 per acre; farm 

 lands, from |10 to $30. 



10336 No. 3705 5 



