282 THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



Demand. Slight. The best timber has been culled out, and %\ per thousand 

 feet on the stump is considered a fair price for the best remaining. 



Accessibility. Except for the steep slopes of most of the ridges, this basin 

 is not especially difficult of access, but the roads are very rough. 



Fire. The ridges have been repeatedly burned, and, although little log timber 

 has been killed by fire, the forests are in poor condition because of so much 

 burning. 



Second growth. There are many saplings of oak, pine, and chestnut, but the 

 stand is deficient, because of the frequent fires and the too thorough drainage 

 along the ridges. 



Undergrowth. There are dense patches of laurel in the ravines and coves, 

 and the ridges have much underbrush, consisting of azalea, huckleberry, and the 

 seedlings and sprouts of timber trees. 



Reproduction. Were it not for fire reproduction would be abundant, but, as 

 it is, the stand is not half what it should be. 



Rate of growth. Rapid, except on the driest portions of the ridges. 



Water poruer. Inconstant and diflScult to regulate, as reservoirs would soon 

 fill with sand and gravel. Below VVhittington, however, there are several good 

 locations for mills using a moderate amount of power. 



Ownership. Most of this land is divided into small tracts by the residents 

 of the valley. 



Occupancy. About 40 families are scattered about on small clearings in this 

 valley. 



Prices of land. The best bottom lands can be bought for $30 per acre, but 

 much of the mountain land would not bring over 50 cents per acre. 



