TOXAWAY RIVER BASIN. 263 



Denvmd. Even the best of the locr timber commands only a nominal price 

 on the stump, owing to its distance from market. Mining operations promise 

 to greatly increase the local demand. 



Acctixsibility. At present the center of this valley is about 30 miles, by 

 rough wagon road, from the railroad at Tullulah Falls. The mining company 

 proposes to build a railroad up the valley. Even with good transportation from 

 the main valley, the timber on the tributaries would }>e difficult to get out, 

 owing to the steep rocky slopes and the great amount of brush in some of the 

 ravines. 



Cutting. No cutting has been done except for local use. The greatest 

 amount of log timber used was taken out bN' the mining company for its 

 separating mill and for the houses of its employees. 



Fire. Fires have been less prevalent in this region than in that adjoining, 

 owing principally to the sparse population. The development of the mines by 

 introducing more people will undoubtedly make fires more prevalent. 



Reprodiiction. Free, except on the highest ridges. 



Second growth. There are many saplings, but hardly enough to make a good 

 stand were the mature trees cut. 



Undergrmcth. There is a great deal of brush, especially laurel, in the 

 ravines and on moist slo^^es. The ridges are more free, but even there huckle- 

 berry, azalea, and seedlings of trees are often quite dense. 



Rate of gro^wth. Fairh- rapid. 



Water power. Abundant. 



Prices of land Prior to the building of the corundum separating mill the 

 best land was valued at about $5 per acre, while the mountain ridges could be 

 bought for 50 cents to $1 per acre. 



TOXAWAY RIVER BASIN. 



Topf>grophy. This basin drains into the Atlantic through Savannah River. 

 The headwaters of the Toxawa}' are far back in the Blue Ridge, through which 

 they have, by erosion, almo.st worked their way. 



The principal peaks about the headwaters are: Sheep Cliff, 4,653 feet; 

 Double Knob, 4,417 feet; Great Hogback, 4,700 feet, and Cold Mountain. 4,500 

 feet. 



The descent from these peaks is rapid, amounting to 3,500 feet in 6 miles 

 on the Toxaway. There are few prominent points within the basin, but the 

 canyons are deeply eroded, and ca-scades are almost continuous along the 

 Whitewater. Horsepasture. and other tributaries. 



The basin has an area of 52.243 acres, of which 95 per cent Is wooded. 



