GENERAL SURVEY OF TEXAS WOODLANDS. 



35 



species of trees and shrubs later entering to form mixed stands. The 

 final result of mesqnite encroachment on the flats and prairies is a fairly 

 heavy cover of vegetation consisting of mesquite, various oaks, of which 

 live and mountain oaks are perhaps the most important, and other 

 species. 



Importance of the Spread of Timbered Areas. 



The encroachment of timber growth on the pasture lands of the 

 region is not viewed without some misgiving, since the grasslands are 

 slowly being reduced in area. However, no great hardship to land 



Live Oak Area in the Coastal Prairie of South-Central Texas. 



owners is as yet evident. The open stands of timber will not for a long 

 time, if ever, destroy the supremacy of grass vegetation and many dis- 

 tinct benefits from the forest cover are recognized. Among these are 

 the benefit of partial shade as well as forage for stock, greater abundance 

 of fuel wood, fence posts, and other material for ranch and farm homes, 

 and protection of soils arid water supplies. Perhaps of all these the 

 influence of an increasing percentage of forest cover on temperature, soil, 

 and water distribution will prove in the long run to be most important. 

 By increasing the transpiration of moisture through the leaves there is 

 a tendency to mitigate intense heat and equalize temperatures. The 

 forest vegetation accumulates a covering of humus on the soil which, 



