48 AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS. 



The virgin timber is located in the eastern portion of the county and 

 consists of shortleaf pine, mainly in two large tracts. These stands will 

 cut from 6,000 to 8,000 feet per acre. In a few cases, where stumpage 

 alone is bought, timber deeds allow 10 years for the removal of the timber. 

 An extension clause, however, is usually included in the deed. 



Practically the entire area of second growth lands is from old fields. 

 The tracts are scattered and support a growth of shortleaf pine. The 

 value of the second growth timber is fast becoming recognized. 



Culled and cut-over lands are located in both the northern and southern 

 portions of the county. Culled lands for the most part support a growth 

 of shortleaf pine and a quantity of oak suitable for fuel, fence posts and, in 

 some instances, ties. Cut-over lands, dating back one to five years, are 

 located mainly in the western section . Areas in this type are reforesting 

 with a growth of post oak and black jack oak, but only a little pine. 

 Most of the land in this class should be kept in timber. 



Farming operations tend ,- toward diversification. While but little 

 new land is cleared annually there is no tendency to abandon old lands. 

 Farms range from 140 to 200 acres in size and in the main are well kept 

 and show prosperity. Cultivated lands, in the hilly portions particularly, 

 are subject to severe washing, but the farmers have learned the value 

 of preventive measures. About one-third of the county is under hog law. 



The lumber industry in the county dates back not less than 25 years. 

 Eleven mills, one of which cuts 220 thousand feet daily but the remainder 

 small and irregular in their cut, have at this time an annual output of 

 not less than 75,000,000 feet. The largest mill now operating has timber 

 enough to last for 25 years. Waste from the mills is used for fuel by 

 both the operators and the nearby farmers. Most of the smaller mills are 

 lun in connection with cotton gins. 



Tie operators produce about 10,000 ties per year, but this output is 

 far short of what has formerly been the cut. Nearly all ties are hewn, 

 the exception being the product of one small tie mill. Eighty-five per 

 cent of the ties cut are pine, the remainder being equally divided between 

 red, white and post oak, and gum. The tie industry at its present rate 

 of production may last many years. Fuel, fence posts, and other forest 

 products, such as telephone and telegraph poles, are cut for local con- 

 sumption and in view of the comparatively small extent of the industries 

 will last indefinitely. The stave industry is about exhausted, due to 

 scarcity of either suitable or available timber. 



Grass and woodland fires are common and a great portion of the county 

 burns over at least once every five years. This condition coupled with the 

 practice of stripping cut-over areas has operated to prevent the repro- 

 duction of pine and increase the growth of scrub oak and weeds. 



SMITH COUNTY. 



The entire area of Smith County, with the exception of the north- 

 western corner which lies in the post oak region, is located within the short- 

 leaf pine region. The land surface is rolling and drains to the north and 

 south into the Sabine and Neches Rivers, respectively. Soils vary from 

 light colored loams and red land soils to those of the bottomland type. 



