The Dawn of a New Constructive Era 217 



Forestry and Cattle Raising 



on the Cut-Over Pine Lands 



of the Southern States 



By Major J. G. Lee 



Department of Forestry and Horticulture, 

 Louisiana State University 



Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Conference: 

 I want to preface what I shall have to say by stating at the 

 outset that my remarks will apply only to the long leaf pine 

 flats and hills of the cut-over pine region and not to the short 

 leaf pine and mixed hardwoods appearing just north of the long 

 leaf pine growth. These latter soils, having a good red clay 

 subsoil, are better grade of the sandy loam type, and are better 

 suited to agriculture. And in the short time allotted me to dis- 

 cuss so big a subject as forestry and cattle raising on the cut- 

 over pine lands of the South. I can speak only in general terms, 

 and discuss general princij)les, the fundamentals, if you will, 

 which ought to govern policy and procedure in any plan which 

 might be devised for their economic development. 



First of all, I want to make a plea for forestry and re- 

 forestation upon much of this cut-over land. The forest re- rp, xj^cessity 

 sources of the South and the industries dependent upon forests, Qf Reforesta- 

 the continuity of growth and use, are too important, they are too Hon 

 big an asset to state and nation, now and always, not to be given 

 serious consideration and provision made for their perpetuation 

 and preservation. 



According to Chief Forester Graves, more than one-fifth of 

 the nation's total timber wealth is found in the South. About 

 one-sixth of all the soft woods of the entire country and over 

 one-half of the hardwoods are in the South. Our great naval 

 stores supplies, upon which many of our important industries 

 depend, are in Southern pineries. With the exhaustion of these 

 and of our hardwood supplies comes also the exhaustion of 

 these and other industries, which will materially and vitallv 

 affect the whole country. 



