FOREST BESOURCES OF EASTERN TE.\ 23 



also cut shingles, produce not more than 200,000 feet annually. As the cut 

 is very small and irregular these mills may operate for an indefinite 

 period. 



Xot more than 100 cars of fuelwood are shipped annually and this in- 

 dustry at the present rate of production may continue indefinitely. The 

 annual production of ties and staves is negligible. 



The fire situation in Henderson County is not serious. Shortleaf pine 

 reproduces rapidly in the eastern part of the county if the land has not 

 been entirely stripped of its timber. The hardwood reproduction is gen- 

 erally scrubby and dwarfed due to the prevalence of undesirable species. 



HOPKINS COUNTY. 



Hopkins County lies entirely within the northern portion of the post 

 oak region. The land surface, generally level to slightly rolling and with 

 but few small hills, is well drained by the Sabine and Sulphur Eivers. 

 Soils vary from light loams to heavy, black prairie lands. Several small 

 areas of iron ore are found in the county. The streams are sluggish and 

 subject to frequent overflow. Public roads for the most part show consider- 

 able improvement. Xot more than 70 miles of mainline railroad traverse 

 the county. 



The land area may be divided as follows : 



Approximate total area 426,240 acres. 



Virgin timber lands Negligible. 



Second growth lands Negligible. 



Culled and cut-over lands 170,000 acres. . 



All other lands 256,240 acres. 



The areas supporting a growth of virgin timber are so small and the 

 timber itself of such slight commercial value as to be considered negligi- 

 ble. The same may be said of second growth lands. 



Culled and cut-over lands are the principal timber type and are found 

 in scattered tracts in all sections of the county. Logging has been carried 

 on for the past 25 years. A comparatively large acreage in this class has 

 been stripped of its timber, thus making reforestation decidedly uncertain. 

 Those areas not cut clean are being cut again at the present time. 



Farms show considerable improvement both in methods of management 

 and in appearance. Diversified farming rather than growing the staples 

 is the principal agricultural system. A small acreage in connection with 

 older farms is cleared annually. The timber is shipped for fuel if ac- 

 cessible to the railroads. Farms average 100 acres in size and improved 

 lands are subject to severe washing unless terraced. The entire county 

 is under general stock law. 



Lumbering has never been an important industry in Hopkins County. 

 At the present time four small mills are cutting very irregularly, their 

 total output not exceeding 3,000,000 feet annually. At this rate of pro- 

 duction the industry may continue indefinitely. 



No estimate can be made of the tie output. The industry, however, is 

 not so large as it was several years ago since the white and red oak suitable 

 for ties is practically all cut out. The production of fuelwood totals 120 

 cars a year and mav continue indefinitely at this rate. As the entire 



