NEW RIVER BASIN. 73 



Timber trees. White oak, 18 per cent; red oak, 5 per cent; black oak, 3 per 

 cent; scarlet oak, 5 per cent; chestnut oak, 6 per cent; chestnut, 22 per cent; 

 cucumber, 2 per cent; linn, 3 per cent; ash, 1 per cent; maple, 4 per cent; buckeye, 

 3 per cent; hemlock, 7 per cent; white pine, 2 per cent; other species, 19 per cent. 



Yield. hog timber, 217,154 M feet B. M.; small wood, 1,432,724 cords. 



Demand. The best of the figured woods, cherry and walnut, are hauled to 

 the railroad; but for other lumber there is only a local demand at about $1 per 

 thousand feet on the stump. 



Accessibility. Wilkesboro is about 25 miles southeast of this tract, while the 

 Virginia and Southwestern Railway is 6 miles northwest. The wagon roads are 

 very rough and hilly, and the fords are often impassable. A railroad is projected 

 up the Watauga Valley, and another up the valley of the North Fork of New 

 River. 



Fire. Fires are less prevalent here than in most of the mountain region, 

 being checked by numerous clearings. About Three Top and Snake mountains 

 and along the Blue Ridge there have been several severe fires. 



Second growth. Saplings are abundant except on the burns of the ridges 

 and mountains. 



Undergrowth. Laurel, rhododendron, azalea, dog hobble, dogwood, and other 

 shrubs are abundant. 



Reproduction. Seedlings and sprouts of the valuable species spring up 

 quickly after cutting. White pine, chestnut, and the oaks are very promising 

 for second growth. 



Rate of growth. Rapid. 



Water power. Abundant on all the larger streams. 



Occupancy. About 900 families are living on this tract. 



Prices of land. The mountain lands are valued at about $2 per acre; the 

 best farm lands, at 130 to $50. Much of the hilly farm land could be bought for 

 $10 per acre. 



BEVERLY DISTRICT ( WYTHE COUNTY, VA.). 



Boundaries, On the north, Cripple Creek; on the east, the eastern border of 

 the area shown on the Wytheville topographic sheet; on the south, the crest of 

 Iron Mountain; on the west, the western divide of Francis Mill Creek. 



Area. Total, 31.75 square miles; cleared, 5 square miles; wooded, 26.75 

 square miles. 



Surface. Hilly to mountainous, with narrow strips of bottom land along 

 Cripple Creek and the lower portions of the tributaries. 



Soil. In the lower valleys is a red clay loam, derived principally from lime- 



