82 THE SOUTHEBN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



Undergrowth. Dense laurel thickets are found along the streams and on the 

 north slopes. The burns also are very brushy with sprouts and seedlings, but 

 much of the southern slopes have very little brush. 



Reproduction. Seedlings of oak, chestnut, cherry, etc., start freely and are 

 very liable to destruction by fire. 



Rate of growth. Medium. 



Water power. Limited. A fair site for a mill requiring a moderate amount 

 of power is near the mouth of the creek. 



Ownership. The greater portion is held by local residents. 



Occupancy. About 10 families are now living in this valley. 



Prices of land. Farm lands bring from $15 to $30 per acre; mountain lands, 

 from $1 to $5. 



RYE VALLEY DISTRICT (SMYTH COUNTY, VA.). 



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

 and south, the Dickey Creek divide; on the west, the Como Creek divide. 



Area. Total, 4.50 square miles; cleared, 1.75 square miles; wooded, 3.75 

 square miles. 



Surface. The lower portion of the valley, substantially all cleared, is undu- 

 lating to rolling; the remainder is mountainous. 



Soil. Light loam. 



Agricultural value. The lowlands, comprising about 1,100 acres, are well 

 adapted to diversified farming; the remainder is too steep for cultivation. 



Timber trees. The oaks constitute about 70 per cent; chestnut, 10 per cent; 

 white pine, 2^ per cent; hemlock, 5 per cent, and other species, 13 per cent. 



Yield. Log timber, 1,200 M feet B. M.; small wood, 24,000 cords. 



Demand. The remaining timber is of very little value; some of the best 

 might bring $1 per thousand feet on the stump. 



Accessibility. This tract is within 5 miles of a branch of the Norfolk and 

 Western Railway, but the wagon road to the nearest point lies over a steep and 

 rough mountain ridge. 



Mre. Fires have been frequent and severe, much timber has been killed 

 or injured, and much of the forest has been reduced to brush. 



Second growth. Deficient because of the prevalence of fire. 



Undergrowth. There are many sprouts and seedlings among the brush that 

 usually follows the fires. 



Reproduction. Seedlings start freely, but are soon killed by the fires. 



Rate of growth. Medium. 



