224 THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



Second growth. There is no second growth suitable for milling. 



Undergrovjth. The forest in the lower part of the basin is nearly devoid of 

 underwood, but in the upper part there is much rhododendron, Kalmia^ and other 

 shrubs. 



Reproduction. Clumps of young trees are frequent where there are windfalls 

 and open places. The great number of small seedlings in the shade show the 

 abundance of seed and attest the facility with which regeneration could be 

 accomplished. 



Rate of growth. Rapid accretion is made, except at high elevations. 



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

 of power. 



Occupancy. There are only a few families living on the creek. 



Prices of land. Agricultural land sells at $4 to $30 per acre"; woodland, at 

 $2 to $5. 



BRUSH CREEK BASIN (sWAIN COUNTY, N. c). 



Area. Total, 14 square miles; cleared, 3 square miles; wooded, 11 square 

 miles. 



Surface. The stream drains a deep hollow on the southwest slope of the 

 Alarka Mountains. The lower part of the basin is narrow, and steep hills in 

 many places cliffs rise almost from the banks of the stream. The upper part 

 of the basin broadens out, and the slopes of the mountains are not so steep. 



Soils. The soils are coarse grained, rather sandy or loose loams, derived 

 from gneiss and schists, and, except on very steep slopes, are several feet deep. 

 Where carefully tended, they have not washed very much. 



Humus and litter. There is a deep accumulation of leaf mold on the north 

 slopes and in the hollows, but less on drier southern slopes. A great part of the- 

 forest, especially that on the steep slopes near the mouth of the creek in which 

 there is pine, has been badl}^ burned and the soil covering destroyed. 



Agricultural value. The staple crops of the region are raised, corn leading, 

 with less small grain, grass, and apples. The yield of corn is not large, and 

 grass does better if the aspect and elevation are favorable. 



Timher trees. Oaks, chiefly the scarlet, black, white, and red oaks, form 

 about 50 per cent of the forest; chestnut, 25 per cent or more, and yellow pine, 

 maple, birch, hemlock, ash, and poplar, each a small proportion. The yellow pine 

 is chiefl}' confined to the steep south slopes on the lower part of the basin. The 

 trees are small and of no great commercial value. 



Yield. Yield is 2,000 feet B. M., or less, per acre. 



Demand. The local demand, except for lower grades of timber for domestic 

 building, is limited. Chestnut and locust for fencing and posts are in good 



