4:2 AGUlcn/lTKAL AXD MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS. 



utilized for fuel. At the present rate of production the industry may last 

 indefinitely. 



Although 100,000 hewn oak ties are cut annually, the industry cannot 

 continue at this rate. Fuelwood to the extent of 1,500 cords yearly is 

 consumed locally and shipped out of the county. Comparatively few 

 fence posts are used because of the general stock law. The cutting of 

 hardwood bolts for handle stock constitutes a small industry, but the 

 output is irregular. 



Pine timber has practically all been cut out of Red River County. Grass 

 and woodland fires, with their usual effect upon pine reproduction, are 

 not a serious problem. The stripping of timbered area?, thus leaving no 

 provision for a second growth, is a problem which should be guarded 

 against on the remaining timber holdings. Each farm should include 

 a woodlot for growing home supplies of the future. 



RUSK COUNTY. 



Rusk County lies in the southern part of the range of shortleaf pine. 



The land surface, very hilly and broken in the north and west but 

 becoming more rolling in the south, drains into the Sabine and Angelina 

 Rivers. Deposits of iron ore are found in the hilly sections. Soils range 

 from light to dark loams. Public roads show but little improvement. 

 Approximately 53 miles of mainline railroad are located in the county. 



The land area may be divided as follows : 



Approximate total area :>s:>.(H)0 acres. 



Virgin timber lands 180,000 acres. 



Second growth lands 25,000 acres. 



Culled and cut-over lands 140,000 acres. 



All other lands 2-40,600 acres. 



Most of the area indicated as virgin timber lands supports a stand 

 of unmerchantable black jack oak. The only virgin timber of commercial 

 value now standing in Rusk County is about equally divided between short- 

 leaf pine and mixed hardwoods. The best bodies of pine are located in 

 the southeastern portion of the county and are owned in large tracts by 

 the lumber companies. Timber deeds do not include the land and ten 

 years is allowed for the removal of the timber. 



Second growth lands support a stand of shortleaf pine and mixed 

 hardwoods, The best bodies are located in the eastern and southern por- 

 tions of the county. A little old field growth is included in this type, 

 but by far the greater percentage is from culled lands. The value per 

 acre on the culled lands ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 feet. 



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

 and the severity of cutting j s directly proportional to the time of cutting. 

 For the most part lands cut over under early logging methods now support 

 fair stands of timber and will furnish a second crop within a comparatively 

 short time. Later logging operations stripped the land. 



Farms range in size from 40 to 500 acres and are devoted to general 

 farming and truck growing. Agricultural operations are improving. A 

 few new settlements are made each year with their consequent clearing 

 operations. Unless rear the railroads timber is burned when new land 



