LITTLE TENNESSEE EIVER BASIN. 223 



Undergrmoth. Rhododendron forms a heavy undergrowth on many moist 

 slopes at the head of the stream, and Kalmia on some of the drier. There are 

 large areas, however, where there is no undergrowth except occasional clumps of 

 young trees. 



Reproduction. All the species seem to seed regularly and reproduce freely 

 under suitable conditions, and clumps of young trees are frequent where they have 

 not been suppressed by fires. 



Rate of growth. Rapid accretion is made where the soil is moist and deep. 

 It is slower on dry soils and at high elevations. 



Water power. Although there is ample fall, the stream is able to yield only 

 slight power. None is at present developed. 



Prices of land. Farming land sells at $5 to $20 per acre; woodland, at $2 

 to $5. 



NOLAND CKEEK BASIN (sWAIN COUNTY, N. c). 



Area. Total, 24 square miles; cleared, 1 square mile; wooded, 23 square miles; 

 burned, 2 square miles. 



Surface. The basin occupies a narrow gorge-like valley lying between the 

 steep slopes of two southern spurs of the Smoky Mountains. There are no 

 alluvial lands, but near the head of the stream there are a few gently-sloping 

 benches. 



Soils. The characteristic soils are thin and light, derived in large part from 

 gneiss, sandstone, and quartzite, and are often very rocky. 



Humus and litter. In deep hollows there is an abundant accumulation of 

 leaf mold, but there is much less on dry south slopes. 



Agricultural 'value. On account of the steepness of the slopes the larger 

 portion of the area is unsuited for tillage, though there are limited areas adapted 

 to grass or where corn can be raised without permanent injury to the land. 



Timher trees. Oaks and chestnut are the characteristic trees on the warmer 

 soils, and with these, on colder and damper soils, are associated birch, maple, 

 linn, buckeye, and hemlock, w^hile at high elevations on the crest of the Smoky 

 Mountains there is a small amount of spruce. 



Yield. The yield is more than 3,000 feet B. M. per acre. 



Demand. Good hard- wood timber, which is suitable for export lumber, is 

 being bought. There is no local demand. 



Accessibility. There is a road several miles up the stream which could easily 

 be improved and extended to the foot of the Smoky Mountains. The Asheville 

 and Murphy Branch of the Southern Railway crosses the mouth of the stream. 



Cuttinq. The choicest timber has been removed from the lower part of the 

 valley, but several miles beyond a mill is at present cutting. 



