120 THE SOUTHEEN APPALACHIAN FOEESTS, 



feet on the stump. Fifty cents per tree has been considered a good price, each 

 tree averaging over a thousand feet. 



Accessibility. All this tract is within 12 miles of the railroad, but the slopes 

 are steep and rocky and the numerous fords render the miserable wagon roads 

 often impassable when water is high. 



Fire. In general the fires have been light, but frequent. Owing to them 

 the ridges are very lightly timbered, except by pine. 



Second growth. Occasionally tracts are found where saplings are abundant, 

 but these are exceptional because of fire and grazing. 



Undergrowth. Varied according to exposure to fire and grazing. In general 

 there is dense laurel in the ravines, and a light sprinkling of sprouts, seedlings, 

 and shrubs on the ridges. 



Reproductwn. This land is especially valuable for its oak, white pine, and 

 hemlock. Were it not for fire and grazing the land once cut over would be 

 quickly restocked with the same species. 



Rate of growth. Rapid, except on ridges where dry. 



Water power. Abundant on Caney and Nolichucky rivers, but hard to control. 



Occupancy. About 20 families are living on this tract. 



Prices of land.- Some of this land is worthless; 50 cents to $2 an acre probably 

 covers the range of price for mountain land. Farm land brings from $5 to $20 

 per acre. 



SPIVE CREEK DISTRICT (UNICOI COUNTY, TENN.). 



Boundaries. On the north, the Granny Creek divide; on the east, the crest 

 of Sampson Mountain; on the south, the Higgins Creek divide; and on the west. 

 South Indian Creek. 



Area. Total, 19 square miles; cleared, 3.32 square miles; wooded, 15.68 square 

 miles. 



Surface. Hilly to mountainous. 



Soil. Light loam, in general much eroded. 



Agricultural value. The surface is steep and liable to erosion, but grass 

 does well on new lands and on the gentler slopes. 



Timher trees. White pine, 25 per cent; white oak, 15 per cent; red oak, 10 

 per cent; gum, 10 per cent; maple, 10 per cent; hemlock, 4 per cent; birch, 5 

 per cent; linn, 5 per cent; cucumber, 5 per cent; chestnut oak, 5 per cent; other 

 species, 6 per cent. 



Yield. l^og timber, 31,233 M feet B. M. ; small wood, 162,200 cords. 



Demand. The best standing timber brings $2 per tree; the best logs, delivered 

 at the mill, bring from $5 to $6 per thousand feet. 



