30 AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS. 



Approximate total area 742,400 acres. 



Virgin timber lands 87,000 acres. 



Second growth lands 115,000 acres. 



Culled and cut-over lands 375,000 acres. 



All other lands 165,400 acres. 



Virgin timber stands are composed of loblolly and longleaf pine on 

 the sandy soils and mixed hardwoods along the streams. The best bodies 

 of pine have long ago been cut. The remaining bodies are in the northern 

 portion of the county. There is a tendency in present logging methods 

 to leave trees of less than 10 inches in diameter. 



Second growth stands are mostly hardwoods along the streams, al- 

 though pine is coining in to a limited extent in the northern end of the 

 county. Practically no timber in this class is of old field origin. 



Culled and cut-over lands, dating back 35 years, are found in both 

 the pine and hardwood types of timber. Some areas have been logged a 

 second time. Where fires are kept out shortleaf pine reproduction is 

 coming in very fast, particularly in the northern part of the county. Much 

 of this land should be maintained in forest. 



The lumber industry has but little influence on farming conditions. 

 Wage scales are set by the rice growers rather than the lumber oper- 

 ators. Farms range in size from 10 to 1,000 acres. Eice culture, diversi- 

 fied farming and fruit and truck growing are being practiced throughout 

 the county where soil conditions are adapted. An adequate system of 

 drainage is the chief need and the problem is being solved by the organ- 

 ization of local drainage districts. 



The livestock industry is an important one, approximately 25,000 

 head of cattle, but only a few sheep and goats, are kept on the open range. 

 Lands not timbered or improved embrace pasture, waste and overflow 

 lands, all of which are used for grazing purposes. One-tenth of the county 

 has hog law. 



Sawmill operations in Liberty County began in 1882. Six mills, four 

 of which cut from 60 thousand to 70 thousand feet daily, the remainder 

 being run in connection with cotton gins, produce approximately 40,000,- 

 000 feet of lumber annually. 



The tie output approximates 25,000 gum, pine and oak ties per annum. 

 Pine ties are shipped for treatment before using. At the present rate 

 of production tie cutting may continue for two or three years. About 

 35,000 cords of fuelwood are consumed locally and shipped. In view of 

 the large amount of hardwoods, unmerchantable except for cordwood, the 

 fuel industry may last indefinitely. Local fence post consumption approx- 

 imates 1,500 yearly and the local supply will satisfy this demand indefi- 

 nitely. Charcoal burning produces not more than three tons annually 

 which are rafted down the Trinity River. During the past year approx- 

 imately 300 poles and about the same number of piles were cut in the 

 county. 



There is a general sentiment in Liberty County against burning grass 

 and woodland areas and such fires as do start escape when brush is burned 

 in clearing new lands. Stockmen are not in favor of burning the range. 

 Only a very small per cent of the total area burns over annually and as 

 a consequence reproduction of both pine and hardwoods on such lands as 



