80 THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



in some of the tributary basins is in excellent condition, having more moisture 

 and better soil, and having been less injured by fire. 



Except on the driest portions, lands cut or burned over are quicklj^ restocked 

 with valuable species, while the dry ridges and summits are soon occupied b}'' 

 chestnut and oak sprouts or black pine, gum, sourwood, or trees of similar 

 value. 



Prevention of fire and judicious thinning would soon develop a valuable 

 forest on these north slopes, where now there is very little material that is 

 marketable. 



CRESSY CREEK DISTRICT (SMYTH COUNTY, VA.). 



Boundaries. On the north, the South Fork of Holston River; on the east. 

 Cripple Creek divide; on the south, the summit of Iron Mountain; on the west, 

 the Dickey Creek divide. 



Area. Total, 8 square miles; cleared, 1.25 square miles; wooded, 6.75 square 

 miles. 



Surface. Rolling to mountainous. 



Soil. On the higher portions the soil is derived principally from quartzites 

 and schists, and is a light-colored loam; on the lowlands, however, it is derived 

 partly from limestone, and is a red claj^ey loam. 



Agricultural value. About 800 acres are adapted to diversified farming. The 

 remainder has too light a soil, in view of the steepness of the slopes and the 

 rapid erosion. 



Timher trees. Chestnut, 20 per cent; chestnut oak, 8 per cent; white oak, 10 

 per cent; red oak, 6 per cent; black oak, 5 per. cent; cucumber, 2 per cent; gum, 

 3 per cent; birch, 3 per cent; maple, 5 per cent; hemlock, 3 per cent; linn, 4 per 

 cent; white pine, 1 per cent; other species, 30 per cent. 



Yield. hog timber, 6,240 M feet B. M.; small wood, 69,600 cords. 



Demand. The best of the timber has been culled. The remainder brings from 

 $1 to $2.50 per thousand feet on the stump. 



Accessibility. The remotest part of the tract is about 15 miles, by a rough and 

 hilly wagon road from the nearest railroad point on State Creek. The mountain 

 sides are not especiall}'^ diflSlcult of access. 



Fire. Fires have been repeated and the forest is greatly reduced. In recent 

 years, however, the fires seem to have been less severe. 



Second growth. Some verj' good stands of saplings are found in the upper 

 portion of the basin. On the ridges, where most frequently burned, much black 

 pine is coming in. 



