34 AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS. 



of the timber is not of merchantable size the areas are being protected 

 because of the recognized future value of the timber. 



Culled and cut-over lands date from 30 years ago to the present time. 

 Large areas now support a growth of non-merchantable timber., but prob- 

 ably two-thirds of the cut-over lands will eventually produce another crop 

 of pine timber. This is due largely to the fact that public sentiment is 

 strongly against burning over the woodlands. 



Staple crops, such as cotton and corn, are the main dependence of the 

 farmers. Farms average 100 acres in size although several contain 1,000 

 to 3,000 acres. A small acreage of new land is being cleared annually. 

 Farmlands are subject to severe washing in the hilly section of the county. 

 All of the county is under general stock law. 



Lumbering operations have been carried on for more than 25 years. 

 Four small portable mills are cutting at present with a total annual output 

 of only 2,500,000 feet. Even with such a small production pine mill opera- 

 tions cannot continue on their present scale. When second growth timber 

 becomes merchantable there will be a revival of the lumber business. 



The tie industry is fast disappearing. Not more than 20,000 ties, of 

 which 90 per cent are pine, are cut annually. Fuelwood shipments ap- 

 proximate six to eight cars per annum. Shingle operators produce not 

 less than 4,000,000 shingles a year, most of which are shipped. The 

 shingle cut and the production of fuelwood are probably the only present 

 wood-using industries which may continue for an appreciable period. 



Shortleaf pine reproduces abundantly and there is a general sentiment 

 against burning the grass and woodlands. Although present timber stands 

 have been culled heavily the general protection afforded cut-over areas will 

 be an important factor in insuring a second growth. 



NACOGDOCHES COUNTY. 



An east and west line drawn through Nacogdoches County a little south 

 of its center would divide the commercial ranges of longleaf and shortleaf 

 pine in the county. v The land surface, verv broken and with many fertile 

 valleys, drains into the Attoyac and Angelina Eivers. Soils range from 

 light, loose sands to heavy, black waxy. Approximately 35 per cent of 

 the area consists of red land. Although there is no special tax or bond 

 issue for public road improvement the roads are gradually being bettered. 

 One hundred and five miles of mainline railroad serve the county. 



The land area may be divided as follows : 



Approximate total area 615,680 acres. 



Virgin timber lands 240,000 acres. 



Second growth lands 25,000 acres. 



Culled and cut-over lands 120,000 acres. 



All other lands 230,680 acres. 



The area of virgin timber lands comprises 120,000 acres of shortleaf 

 pine, 30,000 acres of longleaf pine and 90,000 acres of mixed hardwoods. 

 The hardwood stands, however, have been culled to some extent and 

 might be so classed. Present timber sales include both the land and 

 timber. In view of the large acreage and comparatively heavy stands of 



