18 AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS. 



face conditions. Depressions between sand ridges and other less well 

 drained areas support a good part of the hardwoods and loblolly pine 

 found in the region. 



The forests of longleaf pine originally formed nearly pure stands of 

 remarkable quality and uniformity, covering extensive areas, and inter- 

 rupted only by stream bottoms and moist depressions. On dry, sandy 

 soils this species finds a refuge from the competition of other trees 

 which it cannot endure on moister, better sites. With the long, clear 

 stems of the longJeaf pine and the open park-like and grass-covered 

 condition of the forest floor, these forests in their natural condition 

 were in a class by themselves among the timber regions of the world. 



Virgin Forest of Longleaf Pine in Eastern Texas Jasper County. 



Agriculture, developed and prospered and grazing was an important in- 

 dustry long before the forests were marked for destruction by lumbering 

 operations. The greater part of these forests has now been cut and 

 only where bodies of timber are held for higher values by land owning 

 companies does one find extensive bodies of longleaf pine not in the 

 process of being lumbered. Earlier methods of logging only removed 

 large, mature trees. Present day methods, with the use of steam skid- 

 ders, destroy most of the unmerchantable timber formerly preserved. 

 This process leaves nothing for a second cut and often not even enough 

 for s.eed trees to restock the land again. The frequently recurring fires 

 which effectually destroy all pine seedlings on the ground and the in- 



