102 THE SOUTHEEN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



Soil. The soil is of mixed origin, being derived from quartzite on the 

 mountain crests, gneiss and schist on the slopes, and limestone in the valley 

 bottoms. The alluvial lands of the bottoms are in general very fertile, even 

 those of the foothills being good, but the crests of the ridges and mountains have 

 a light soil considerably effected by fire and erosion. 



Agricultural value. The valley is well adapted to grass, grain, fruits, and 

 vegetables. About 30 square miles are well adapted to farming. 



Timber trees. White oak, 10 per cent; chestnut, 20 per cent; hemlock, 10 

 percent; red oak, 10 per cent; chestnut oak, 10 per cent; white pine, 2 per cent; 

 black oak, 5 per cent; other species, 33 per cent. 



Yield. Ijog timber, 16,000 M feet B. M.; small wood, 499,000 cords. 



Demand. From $1.50 to $4 per acre is paid for the best log timber on the 

 stump. 



Accessibility. The Virginia and Southwestern Railway extends through the 

 entire length of the valle3\ Wagon roads are numerous among the foothills. 

 The upper mountain slopes remain somewhat difficult of access, though nowhere 

 more than 6 miles from the railroad. 



Fire. Fires are frequent, especiall}^ on the ridges on the southern slopes, 

 where the forests have been seriously injured. 



Second growth. On the lands cut clean for charcoal and protected from fire 

 by clearings there is an abundant second growth, but on the ridges and southern 

 slopes the supply is deficient because of the fires. 



XJndefrgrowth. Generally light. There is less laurel than in many of the 

 valleys, and the other brush is not so vigorous as to be a serious obstacle in 

 logging. There are many sprouts and seedlings, but in general these are 

 destroyed b)^ the fires. 



Reproduction. Reproduction is retarded somewhat by brush and fire, but 

 where cut clean and not burned the land is quickly restocked with the species 

 that occupied it before. 



Rate of growth. Medium to rapid. 



Water power. Inconstant. Roane Creek is nearly dry at times, but rises 

 with every rain. During the past season great damage was done by freshets. 



Occupancy. There are about 300 families living in this valley. 



Prices of land. Farm lands bring from $5 to $50 per acre; mountain lands, 

 from $2 to $10 per acre. 



FORGE CREEK DISTRICT (jOHNSON COUNTY, TENN.). 



Boundaries. The crest of Forge Mountain forms the northwestern boundary, 

 the North Carolina State line the eastern, and the rim of Roane Creek basin the 

 southwestern. 



