220 THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



EAGLE CREEK BASIN (sWAlN COUNTY, N. c). 



Area. Total, 94 square miles; cleared, 60 acres; wooded, 34 square miles; 

 severely burned, 2 square miles. 



Surface. The surface is very rough, especially at and near the mouth of 

 the creek where the basin is constricted by steep and rugged cliflfs, and at the 

 upper part where the mountains are steep and rocky. In the middle part of 

 the basin, where the creek forks, there are some gentle slopes which lie well 

 for cultivation. 



Soils. The soils are largely derived from slates and quartzite; in some 

 places they are sandy, but are generally very good for forest growth. 



Humus and litter. The prevailing forest floor is a deep leaf mold. It is 

 often absent or scant on south slopes or where fires are prevalent. 



Agricultural value. Considering the general steepness, the land will probably 

 yield good crops of corn, grass, apples, potatoes, and other produce. Much of 

 the land in the coves seems to be fertile. 



Timber trees. Oak and chestnut are the predominant trees throughout the 

 basin. On the lower part white pine and hickory are associated with them. On 

 the upper part, especially in the deep hollows which indent the slopes of the 

 Smoky Mountains and the great ridges which spring from it, poplar, ash, 

 hemlock, birch, maple, and buckeye are associated with the oaks and chestnut. 



Yield. Three thousand to four thousand feet B. M. per acre is the yield 

 on the best land on the upper part of the creek. The land of the lower part is 

 less heavily timbered. 



Demand. There is at present no demand for lumber, as the distance from 

 transportation facilities and the absence of roads prevent shipment. 



Accessihility. There is no road on the creek, only brjdle paths leading to 

 the farms. A very rough road up Tennessee River leads from the mouth of 

 the creek to Bushnell, the nearest station on the Southern Railway. 



Second growth. Second growth is scant, except in a few places where there 

 have been fires. 



Reproduction. Reproduction is generally good, and there is in many places 

 a heavy growth of saplings beneath the old trees. 



Rate of growth. Accretion is good, especially in the hollows. 



Water power. The stream is too small to yield more than a slight power, 

 although it has a great fall. 



Ownership. The greater part of the basin is held in one body. 



Occupajicj/. There are only 2 families living on the stream. 



Prices of land. Land is said to be held at $2.50 per acre. 



