FOREST RESOURCES OF EASTERN TEXAS. 29 



Virgin timber stands are composed of mixed hardwood growth which 

 for the most part is not of timber size or quality. Fuelwood is practi- 

 cally the only product. 



Second growth stands arc usually found as woodlots in connection with 

 farm areas. The timber is merchantable only for posts and fuel, ft one of 

 these areas are from reclaimed old fields. 



Culled and cut-over stands, dating back 35 years, comprise slightly the 

 largest single timber type. A small acreage supports a growth of timber 

 which is being cut a second time. A very small acreage is agricultural 

 1'and and subject to sale. 



Although the tendency within the past few years has been toward diver- 

 sification of farm crops cotton, corn and oats comprise the bulk of the 

 agricultural output. While new lands are being cleared, very little old 

 land is abandoned. In certain sections soils are subject to slight erosion. 

 The acreage of waste land is small while pasture lands occupy a com- 

 paratively large part of the county and furnish grazing for large numbers 

 of cattle. All the county is under hog law and some districts have gen- 

 eral stock law. 



Lumbering operations have been conducted in Lamar County for the 

 past 35 years, but the industry is not now and has never been an im- 

 portant one. At present three small mills produce not more than 400,000 

 feet annually. This output may continue indefinitely in view of the class 

 of timber which may be utilized. 



The entire yearly output of 20,000 hewn oak ties makes an important 

 forest industry. Waste characterizes the cutting, however, and tie oper- 

 ators have used about all the available timber. No fuelwood is shipped, 

 the small output being consumed locally. Fence posts for home consump- 

 tion are cut locally. Even at the small rate of production the available 

 timber is fast being depleted. Two furniture factories, two box and crate 

 factories and one small tool handle factory are operated in the county. 

 The timber used in these industries, however, is shipped in from Okla- 

 homa and Arkansas. 



Although there is but -little sentiment either for or against grass and 

 woodland fires only a small acreage burns over annually and the fire prob- 

 lem is not serious. Woodland areas on the other hand have been repeat- 

 edly cut over and reproduction is slow and of inferior growth. Lamar 

 County should be a farm woodlot county and grow its local timber supply 

 on the farms. 



LIBERTY COUNTY. 



Liberty County, with the exception of a very small area of longleaf in 

 the northeast corner, is located within the loblolly pine region. The land 

 surface is quite low and level and drains mostly to the south into Galves- 

 ton Bay. Soils range from light sands to the deep, black soils of the 

 Coastal Prairie and for the most part are exceedingly fertile. Sulphur 

 mining and oil field operations are among the important industries. 

 Public roads in general are in good condition. One hundred and twenty- 

 one miles of mainline and 45 miles of logging railroad traverse the 

 county. 



The land area mav be divided as 



