GENERAL SURVEY OF TEXAS WOODLANDS. 19 



ability of large areas to again become stocked after lumbering, result 

 either in the formation of scrub oak thickets or else the cut-over lands 

 become stump covered grass or waste areas. 



ncc of a humus covering of the soil is a characteristic of the 

 longleaf forest, whether in virgin, culled or cut-over condition. This 

 is due to repeated fires over long periods of years which prevent the 

 accumulation of leaf litter, in spite of the fact that longleaf pine creates 

 an excellent humus where fires are kept out. The value of organic 

 matter in the forest soils has never been duly appreciated. Not only 

 because of its water holding capacity and its consequent effect in retard- 

 ing the rapid run-off of rainfall, thus tending to prevent both overflow 



Appearance of a Longleaf Pine Forest after Lumbering Jasper County. 



and periods of drouth, humus has a soil enriching value which is needed 

 when the lands are cleared for agriculture and which would greatly im- 

 prove the quality and abundance of the grass cover for grazing purposes. 

 This is primarily a region of gigantic sawmills and lumbering is the 

 principal forest industry. The annual output of lumber exceeds 1,000,- 

 000,000 feet and has probably now reached its maximum. Each year 

 finds a number of older plant? abandoned but new ones in hitherto 

 un exploited districts are started. The output of lumber from Jasper 

 County is about 300.000.000 feet or double that from Polk and San 

 Augustine Counties, respectively. These three counties lead in lumber 

 production. The larger plants will operate for varying lengths of time, 



