PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. 



So abundantly supplied were the older States with na- 

 tive timber growth, that questions relating to its perma- 

 nence appear not to have suggested investigation through 

 a long period. In new States and in the Territories the 

 absence of forests has been felt severely, and the supply 

 of their needs added to home waste has made the forestry 

 question prominent and of practical importance. Sup- 

 plies have been found scarce, and prices have advanced 

 to a degree that is sensibly felt by all classes of the 

 population. 



The forest wealth of North Carolina, it is believed, ex- 

 ceeds that of any State. Little was known of it, except 

 to Botanists, until a very recent date. The exhibition of 

 woods at the Atlanta Exposition by the State Department 

 of Agriculture and by the Richmond and Danville Rail- 

 road Company attracted universal attention and admira- 

 tion, and made it plain that the time is at hand when the 

 forests of North Carolina, if properly worked, will yield 

 larger income than all her beds of gold. Frequent 

 inquiry from all sections of the country followed, and the 

 exhibition made by the Richmond and Danville Company 

 at the New England Manufacturers' and Mechanics' 

 Institute has stimulated the public desire for information. 

 The publisher hopes that this volume may supply it. 



In 18G0, the State published as part of the Geological 

 Survey, then under the direction of the distinguished Dr. 



m^' 



