LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN. 233 



Ciitthig. A mill is operating on the upper portion of Little Snowbird Creek, 

 while from the lower portion the floatable logs (poplar, ash, etc.) were cut some 

 ten years ago and driven down Cheoah River. 



Fire. The southward slopes have been much burned. Humus has been 

 consumed and seedlings killed. The northern slopes have escaped frequent fires. 



Reproduction. Except for tire and cutting reproduction would be free. 

 Persimmon and sumac form the most abundant new growth on old clearings. 



Second growth. There are many saplings 8 to 10 inches in diameter, but 

 most of those that have started later have been subdued by lii-e. 



TJndergrmjoth. Reduced by tire and grazing, except the laurel patches along 

 streams and north slopes. 



Rate of groicth. Medium. 



Water pover. Abundant. 



Prices of land. From $1 to $5 per acre. 



WEST BUFFALO CREEK BASIN (gRAHAM COUNTY, N. c). 



Area. Total, 18 square miles; cleared, 0.66 square mile; wooded, 17.34 

 square miles. 



Surface. Rough and steep about the head of the stream, but moderately 

 mountainous elsewhere, with narrow, interrupted stream bottoms. 



Soil. Rather light. 



Humus and litter. Abundant only on the northern slopes; light elsewhere. 



Agricfidtural imlue. Only about 500 acres are worth cultivating. 



Timber trees. Chestnut oak, 15 per cent; white oak, 10 per cent; black oak, 

 10 per cent; chestnut, 20 per cent; hickory, 10 per cent; poplar, 5 per cent; 

 hemlock, 10 per cent; cucumber, 5 per cent; gum, 15 per (^ent. 



Yield. luog timber, 46,080 M feet B. M.; small wood, 207,360 cords. 



Demand. The best prices for log timber are $4 per thousand feet on the 

 stump. Hemlock is considered worthless, and the price of oak is nominal. 



Accessihillty. A wagon road leads from Nantahala to within 6 miles of the 

 head of the stream. 



Cutting. Two mills are now operating one on Little Buffalo Creek and one 

 well toward the head of the main stream. The sawed lumber is being hauled 

 to Nantahala. 



Fire.ThQ southern slopes are usually burned over every year. 



Reproduction. Seedlings appear, but are soon killed bv Hre. 



Second grmvth. Saplings are fairly abundant on northward slopes, but on 

 south exposures the supply is deficient. 



Undergrov^th.Scsint on south and dense on north slopes. 



