WATAUGA RIVER BASIN. 95 



Second growth. Saplings are deficient in number and quality, due to the 

 frequent fires. 



Undergrowth. Light on ridges. North slopes have dense thickets of laurel, 

 and sprouts from roots are abundant. 



Reproduction. Free, except as kept down by fire. The oaks, white pine, and 

 hemlock come in freely. 



Rate of growth. Medium. The tract becomes too dry at times. 



Water fowefr. A great power could be secured in the gorge on Doe River 

 below Hampton. 



Ownership}. The tract is divided into numerous small resident holdings. 



Occupancy. The foothills are occupied by farmers, and their pastures extend 

 well up the mountain sides. 



Prices of land. Mountain land usuallj^ brings from $1 to |3 per acre. 



LITTLE DOE RIVER AND RIP8HIN CREEK DISTRICTS (CARTER COUNTY, TENN.). 



Boundaries. Thia tract lies between Doe River and the west divide of the 

 Burbank Valley on the east, the State line on the south, and the county line and 

 the summit of Stone Mountain on the west and north. 



Area. Total, 43 square miles; cleared, 11.25 square miles; wooded, 31.75 

 square miles. 



Surface. Mountainous, often very steep and precipitous, except in the lower 

 portions of the valley. 



Humus and litter. Generally abundant; the crest of the ridge, however, has 

 been burned, and there is much less humus there than elsewhere. 



Soil. In the coves very fertile; even on the crest of the ridge are many 

 areas of good land and only the steepest and rockiest slopes have a light, shallow 

 soil. 



Agricultural value. Probably about 8 square miles are adapted to agriculture, 

 and would yield fair crops of corn, wheat, and grass. This land is best adapted 

 to fruit growing; apples grown here are especially fine. 



Timher trees. Chestnut, 12 per cent; white pine, 3 per cent; white oak, 10 

 per cent; chestnut oak, 5 per cent; red oak, 13 per cent; black oak, 3 per cent; 

 Spanish oak, 3 per cent; scarlet oak, 2 per cent; linn, 5 per cent; cucumber, 4 

 per cent; maple, 5 per cent; black gum, 8 per cent; poplar, 2 per cent; hemlock, 

 10 per cent; other species, 15 per cent. 



Yield. Log timber, 72,980 M feet B. M.; small wood, 292,000 cords. 



Demand. From %1 to $2 per thousand feet on the stump is considered a 

 good price for the best of the remaining timber. 



