ERAL SURVEY OF TEXAS WOODLANDS. 21 



eastern portion of the Lignitic geological formation. Elevations range 

 from ;>UO to 500 feet and the topography is much more hilly than in 

 the longleaf region. The soils are variable clays and sands with ex- 

 tensive areas of red clay formation. A rainfall of 40 inches or more 

 insures luxuriant vegetation and crops. The decrease in rainfall to 

 less than 40 im-hrs westward from this region is the principal reason 

 for the rapid disappearance of pine, since the topographic and soil 

 features differ less abruptly. 



Shortleaf pine is the most important species in the upland forests. 

 It occurs in nearly pure stands but is oftener found growing in mixture 

 with post and other upland oaks, hickory, elm, and sweet gum. Post, 

 red, black jack, white, and blue jack oaks are often found as an under- 

 story with pine in the uplands. Extensive bottomlands border the rivers 

 and streams. Here hardwoods prevail with such species as white, red, 

 overcnp, and Spanish oaks, elm, sycamore, and a wide variety of other 

 species making up the mixture. 



Of the great number of tree species found in the region, shortleaf 

 pine has been the only one of wide commercial value.* Shortleaf pine 

 lumbering began in the day?- of early settlement and much of the virgin 

 growth was disposed of before lumbering became extensive in the long- 

 leaf and loblolly forests. In 1880 the output of shortleaf pine was over 

 146,000,000 feet as compared to 61.000,000 of longleaf. Today the 

 larger sawmills have almost entirely disappeared. Lumbering in the 

 shortleaf forests is still extensive but on a smaller scale by a larger 

 number of mills. The present annual output of shortleaf pine is nearly 

 500,000.000 feet, much of which is cut from forests logged twenty to 

 forty years ago and from strictly second growth forests. The earlier 

 logging was le-s severe than that carried on today. Even present day 

 operations do not strip the lands like the operations now r carried on in 

 the longleaf region. A greater amount of hardwoods in mixture with 

 pine is, of course, partly the reason for the better conditions found on 

 the cut-over lands of the shortleaf region. Small mills cutting inter- 

 mittently or in conjunction with cotton gins are likely to continue 

 indefinitely. 



The lumber business on a large export scale has already given way 

 to diversified forest industries. Small wood-using plants which manu- 

 facture crates, boxes, pails, tool handles and other implements, furni- 

 ture. Veneer products, and many other articles in common use, may be 

 found in the shortleaf pine counties. The culled pine forests and 

 hardwood areas of this region produce annually more than 1,000,000 

 ties. Mine props are exported from several counties. Euel wood and 

 fence posts are not only used in vast quantities locally, but are shipped 

 to the western counties and other States A few counties still export 

 stave stock, but the oak suitable for first class staves has become largely 

 exhausted. 



*For further information, see Bulletin SOS, I'. S. Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington. D. C., entitled "Shortleaf Pine: Its Economic Importance and Forest 

 Management." 



