YADKIN RIVER BASIN. 281 



Timber trees. O^k'^^ 75 per cent; chestnut^ 10 per cent; other species, 15 

 per cent. 



Yield. hog timber, 77,120 M feet B. M.; small wood, 158,030 cords. 



Demand. Because of remoteness from rail and the poor condition of roads, 

 the best log timber brings only %l per thousand feet on the stump. 



Accessihility. The natural grades are very favorable toward Wilkesboro, but 

 the present roads are poor, and the distance is long. The slopes are often steep 

 and rocky. 



Fire. Although frequent, very few large trees are killed; the forest is very 

 inferior on this account. 



Second growth. Saplings are abundant, except on the drier ridges, where the 

 stand is reduced by fire. 



Undergro'wth. Light, except in ravines, where laurel thickets abound. 



Beproduction. Free, except as injured by fire. 



Rate of grovjth. Rapid, except on the driest ridges. 



Water pmver. Inconstant. Local grist and saw mills are frequently dam- 

 aged by floods. 



Ownership. Mostly divided into small tracts held by local residents. 



Occupancy. About 100 families are scattered along the creek and branches. 



Prices of land. Fift}'' cents per acre is a common price for mountain land. 

 The best creek bottoms bring $30 per acre. 



SOUTH FORK OF REDDIE KIVER BASIN (wiLKES COUNTY, N. c). 



Area. Total, 15.75 square miles; cleared, 2.25 square miles; wooded, 13.50 

 square miles. 



Surface. Hilly to mountainous, except creek bottoms, which are very 

 narrow and frequently interrupted. 



Humus and litter. Light, except in north coves where fire is infrequent. 



Soil. Light. On the ridges derived from gneiss by decomposition and 

 usually much washed. The creek bottoms are sandy and light. Along the 

 foothills is a light- colored, clay loam ("white land"). The lower slopes are 

 usually red clay. 



Agricultural value. Corn is grown on the creek bottoms by the aid of 

 fertilizers, and wheat on the lower clay lands. Grass holds well only in the higher 

 altitudes. 



Timber trees. Oaks, 75 per cent; chestnut, 10 per cent; hickories, maple, gum, 

 white, black, shortleaf, and scrub pine, with a sprinkling of cherry, walnut, ash, 

 and poplar, together, 15 per cent. 



Yield. \Mg timber, 21,920 M feet B. M.; small wood, 175,680 cords. 



