NOLICHUCKY RIVER BASIN. 119 



Yield. IjO'^ timber, 18,816 M feet B. M.; small wood, 376,320 cords. 



Demand. The price has advanced since the raih'oad reached Huntdale. In 

 the lower portion of the valley, linn, cucumber, sugar maple, and oak of good 

 quality and above 16 inches in diameter bring %1 per tree. 



Acces,tihility. The longest haul is 10 miles, over inferior wagon roads, to 

 Huntdale. The slopes are moderate, and logging operations are not especialh' 

 difficult. 



Fire. Fires are not prevalent, though small burns are common. The 

 clearings limit them to small areas. 



Second growth. Saplings are abundant on many of the wood lots, and they 

 are usually of oak, chestnut, and other valuable species. 



Unde7'growth. There is much laurel along the ravines; elsewhere there is a. 

 great variety in the density of underbrush, according to the various conditions of 

 grazing, burning, stand of trees and saplings. 



Beproduction. Free. Valuable species reappear quickly after cutting. 



Rate of growth. Rapid. 



Water power. Abundant on Toe River, but elsewhere of little value. 



Onmershlp. This land is in small holdings, owned b}" resident farmers. 



Occupancy. About 150 families are living in this basin. 



Prices of land. From $5 to $30 per acre. 



CANEY RIVER DISTRICT (yANCEY COUNTY, N. C). 



Boundaries. On the north, Nolichucky River; on the east, eTacks Creek divide; 

 on the south. Bald Creek divide; on the west, the crest of Sampson Mountain. 



Area. Total, 21 square miles; cleared, 2.25 square miles; wooded, 21.75 square 

 miles. 



Surface. Excepting about 1 square mile of alluvial land, the surface is hilly 

 to mountainous and cut b}- deep ravines. 



Soil. The soil is derived from gneiss, schists, and limestone, and is generally 

 fertile, but the steepness of the slopes renders it veiy liable to erosion. 



Agricultural value. Corn sometimes yields 50 bushels per acre, grass also 

 yields very well on new lands, but cultivation is difficult because of the steepness 

 of the slopes. 



Timber trees. White oak, 15 per cent; red oak, 7 per cent; chestnut oak, 3 

 per cent; chestnut, 18 per cent; gum, 4 per cent; cucumber, 3 per cent; bucke^'e, 

 3 per cent; maple, 5 per cent; hemlock, 7 per cent; white pine, 2 per cent; linn, 

 1 per cent; other species, 29 per cent. 



Yield. hog timber, 53,630 M feet B. M.; small wood, 278,800 cords. 



Demand. Some of the choicest oak and poplar has sold for $1.50 per thousand 



