PIGEON RIVER BASIN. 165 



PIGEON RIVER BASIN BETWEEN LAVINIA AND CLYDE (hAYWOOD COUNTY, N. C). 



Area. Total, 58 square miles; cleared, 33 square miles; wooded, 25 square 

 miles; burned, slight. 



Surface. The basin is surrounded by low, bvit in some places rough, mountains, 

 and is penetrated by many spurs from them, which form the divides between 

 the small streams which are tributary to the river. Along the river are broad 

 alluvial flats, beyond which are low hills with smooth and gentle slopes which 

 gradually rise into the mountains. 



Soils. The soils of the alluvial lands are generally deep, fine-grained silts 

 or sandy loams; in a few places coarser and more porous. They are generally 

 fertile and well adapted to grass, corn, and in a less degree, to small grain. The 

 soils of the low hills are deep and fertile red loams or stiff loams, derived from 

 schists. Those of the mountains are thinner, sandier, and often rocky. 



Humus and Utter. The leaf mold is generally thin. In many places the 

 mountain slopes have been badly burned by repeated ground fires, and excessive 

 pasturage has reduced leaf mold in the greater part of the farm woodland. 



Agricultural value. On the alluvial lands corn and small grains are very 

 productive. On the red-clay hills small grain, corn, grass, and clover yield well. 

 Apples are extensively raised and are considered among the best produced in the 

 mountains. 



Timber trees. There are some scant remnants of the original forest on the 

 mountain slopes, but the greater part of the woodland is largely second growth 

 or consists of a few old trees mixed with second growth. Hard woods are the 

 characteristic feature. In many places yellow pines are associated trees, and there 

 are also many small groves entirely of young pine. 



Yield. There is very little merchantable timber. The yield is not more 

 than 1,500 feet B. M. per acre. 



Denumd. Good, hard-wood timbers and pine are in demand for the manu- 

 facture of shipping lumber. There is, besides, a small but constant local demand 

 for low-grade lumber and timber for farm use; as the region is thickly settled 

 and wood is the only fuel, there is a constant demand for oak for this purpose. 



Accessibility. The Asheville and Murphy Branch of the Southern Railway 

 passes nearly through the middle of this area. It is penetrated by numerous well- 

 graded and well-kept wagon roads. 



Cutting. The best timber has been cut, though there are a few small areas 

 yet in a nearly primeval condition. 



Second growth. There is a large amount of second-growth hard woods in the 



