FOIIKST li:so[-|{C!-:s OF K.\>'ii:i;x TKXAS. ;}<j 



second growth timber, ir is estimated that these stands, particularly 

 those on old fields, will now cut 1'roin 1,000 to .'5.000 feet per acre. 



The greater jtortion of culled and cut-over lands date hack more than 

 ^o vears. The !>est of these are located in the southern portion of the 

 county and will cut lYom V.ooo to ."i.ooo iVet per acre. They are owned 

 by local residents and fanners. Tut-over lands of recent origin have been 

 cut clear and are piactically denuded of their timber. 



Agricultural 'conditions are improving although but little new land is 



being either settled or cleared. Xone of the present improved lands are 



being abandoned. Farm lands, particularly in the more hilly portions, 



-ubject to severe washing. Three-fourths of the county is under 



hog law. 



Lumbering operations have been carried on for the past 30 years, but 

 have greatlv decreased within the past decade. Eight small mills, two of 

 them operated in connection with cotton gins, produce not more than 

 V!. ooO.oOO feet annually. At this rate of production, however, they may 

 operate indefinitely. 



The production of ties is decreasing because of the inaccessibility of 

 suitable timber. The present output approximates 65,000 ties per year, 

 the greater percentage of which are pine. All ties are hewn and pine 

 ties are treated before using. The industry may continue indefinitely 

 as it is entirelv probable that a way will be found to market timber hith- 

 erto considered inaccessible. One operator cuts about 300,000 white oak 

 staves yearly, with a supply in sight to last 15 years longer. Fuelwood 

 and fence post production are governed by the local demand. The same 

 may lie said of the output of telephone and telegraph poles and shingles. 



Only a very small amount of the total woodland area burns over an- 

 nually. As a consequence shortleaf pine is reforesting those cut-over lands 

 which have not been stripped of their timber by recent logging operations. 



POLK COUNTY. 



Polk Cour.ty lies entirelv within the longleaf pine region although 

 the southern and southwestern boundaries practically limit the western 

 range of this species in commercial quantities. The land surface, gen- 

 erally broken and hilly but fairly level in the southern and central por- 

 tions, drains to the east and south through the Xeches and Trinity Rivers, 

 respectively. Soil< vary from a light sand to black waxy. Some areas of 

 very fertile bottomland soil< are found. Streams are large with little 

 tendency to overflow. Public road conditions are improving. Xinety- 

 four miles of mainline and 89 miles of logging railroad are operated in 

 the county. 



The lar.d area may be divide.] as follows: 



Approximate total area 70-!.ooo acres. 



Virgin timber hinds K>o.ooo acres. 



Second growth lands vV>,ooO acres. 



Culled and cut-over lands !v?.">.ooo acre?. 



All other lands lo'.ooo acres. 



Virgin timber stands are longleaf pine. Stumpage is held in lariro 

 tracts under non-resident ownership. Present logging methods cut 



