LITTLE TENNESSEE KIVER BASIN. 193 



Soils. The soils are rather coarse-grained loams and sandy loams, usually 

 gray, derived from gneiss, mica-schists, and metamorphosed sandstones. The 

 soils of the red clay hills in the lower part of the valley are generally loams or 

 stiff loams. The soils of the mountains are thin and often rocky; those of the 

 red hills are deep and free from stones. 



HurmLS and litter. There is an excellent ground cover in all the deep north 

 hollows which lie at the head of the stream. 



Agricultural value. The alluvial lands and the red hills are very productive 

 and are in an excellent state of cultivation. The steep mountain slopes are less 

 productive and are not so carefull}^ tended, and in some places have washed 

 badly. 



Timher trees. The oaks form about 45 per cent of the forest; chestnut about 

 35 per cent. The remainder is largely composed of birch, ash, maple, hickorv, 

 hemlock, and j^ellow poplar, in the order named. 



Yield. Except in the lower hills, which are lightly timbered with oak and 

 chestnut, largely second growth, the basin is heavil}' wooded and will cut from 

 2,500 to 3,500 feet B. M. per acre. 



De?nand.^-Good grades of lumber are in active demand. A small mill is at 

 present cutting on the creek. Bark of both hemlock and chestnut oak is being 

 bought for local tanneries. 



Accessibility. ~ It is about 8 miles, over a good road, from the mouth of the 

 creek to Dillsboro, the nearest railroad station on the Southern Railway. 



Cutting. One small sawmill is at present in operation, but the best timber 

 has already been cut. There is, however, at the head of the basin some veiy 

 good oak and maple yet standing. 



Reproduction. The dominant trees reproduce well wherever the proper light 

 conditions are afforded. 



Second growth. Young timber is generally scant in the forest, except where 

 breaks have been made in the cover, either by lumbering or by fires. Man^^ of 

 the living trees show traces of injury by ancient fires. 



Undergrowth. The forests are generally open, except for the groves of 3'oung 

 trees and occasional thickets of laurel. 



Rede of grcnoth. Accretion is good, except at high elevations and on very 

 dry slopes. 



AVater ]?owe7\ The upper part of the stream is very rapid and sites for 

 dams are numerous. The lower part is not so rapid, but there are several places 

 where low dams could be built. A few small water mills are at present using 

 part of the power. 



10336 No. 3705 13 



