FOREST REGIONS OF THE OOTTON BELT. 67 



d. Of a similar character, but somewhat less heavy, is the tree growth 

 upon the lands iu central Alabama and eastern Mississipx)i, of the Cre- 

 taceous plain, corresponding to our subdivision No. 5 a, or the black 

 prairie region. This region is now almost denuded of its original for- 

 est growth, as are also the lands of the i)receding division; and it is 

 only iu the bottoms of the larger streams, more or less difficult of ac- 

 cess, that the dense and heavy forests are still found untouched by the 

 woodman's ax. 



€. Prairies and grassy savannas, more or less wet, east of the Trin- 

 ity Kiver, and in the coast plains of southeast Texas and southwest 

 Louisiana and the glades of Florida. High and dry ridges of live-oak 

 scrub, with mesquite bushes, in the prairie region of western Texas. 

 This division corresponds with No. 2 above. 



/ (a). Eegion of the long-leaf pine {Pinus australis). 



In the coast plains of East and West Floriila the long-leaf pine is as- 

 sociated with the Cuban pine, and on the most infertile and arid ridges, 

 with the turkey oak {Q. Cateshwi). Open forests, with no undergrowth 

 on the rolling lands ; with a dense smaller growth of evergreens in 

 the marshy dei)ressions and along the streams, particularly towards 

 the coast. These evergreens are Ti-ti {Cliftonia Ugustrina), Magnolia 

 glauca^ M. grandiflora ; various species of Ilex, lllicium floridanum^ 

 Vacciniums, Andromeda, sweet-leaf Bumelia, white cedar (Juniperus 

 thyoides), «&c. This is our division No. 3 a. 



/(b). Upper pine region or region of mixed growth. On the sili- 

 ceous ridges of the Drift and Tertiary, the long-leaf pine prevails. In 

 the more fertile marly and calcareous lands, the upland oaks with 

 various other deciduous-leaved trees preponderate and, mixed with 

 some short-leaf pine and spruce pine (P. glabra), form dense and often 

 heavily timbered woods. The undergrowth is mostly heavy. This is 

 our division No. 3 b. 



g. Eegion of the short-leaf pine (P. mitis). The latter in eastern 

 Texas often replaced by the loblolly pine (P. tceda). Pines largely pre- 

 vailing with oaks and mockernut and pignut hickories (C. tomentosa and 

 G. glabra). Undergrowth mostly dense. This is No. 4 a, 



h. The more or less stunted oak woods covering the gravelly and 

 sandy ridges on the borders of the arid prairie region of western 

 Texas. Mostly black oak, post oak, and blue-jack {Q. clnerea). This 

 would correspond, in part at least, to the red loam region, No. 6 c. 



B.-DESCRIPTION OF THE AGEICULTURAL SUBDIVISIONS.* 



1. THE ALLUVIAL EEGION. 



This region embraces some of the most fertile lands of the Cotton 

 States, and the most serious trouble connected with their cultivation 

 arises from their liability to be submerged at certain seasons of the year. 



*In the preparation of this description I have made free use of the material collected under the 

 auspices of the Census Office for Dr. Hilgard's Report on Cotton Production; but I am under special 

 obligations to Dr. E,. H. Loughbridge for notes on the agricultural characters of Texas, Arkansas, and 

 the Indian Nation. 



