8o SOUTHERN HARDWOODS 



Land Values. — Land values are easier to determine for these 

 types than in the previous ones because all except the ridge types 

 have some agricultxu-al value. The coves, in fact, are usually 

 deep soiled and fertile enough for farm land and should be so 

 used if they are suffiiciently large and accessible. In other words 

 farming is their highest use if workable farm \mits can be made 

 from them. This is the case except in the moimtains, and prac- 

 tically aU the cove type throughout the Mississippi and Ohio val- 

 leys is so used. Its value is mainly determined by its accessibil- 

 ity. In a region of railroads and good roads $200 an acre is not 

 excessive while uncleared stump land of the same quahty and 

 having the same climate but inaccessible may not sell for more 

 than $10 per acre. For timber productive purposes it is worth 

 between $5 and $10 per acre. 



The slope type naturally has a lower value because it will yield 

 less. Hence, more than $5 per acre cannot profitably be paid for 

 it for forest purposes imder present market conditions. It is 

 generally too steep for farming but can be used for pastiire in 

 limestone regions. Other types of soil wash so badly that a grass 

 cover cannot be maintained. 



The ridge type is likewise usable for grazing but only lime- 

 stone soils will make permanent pastures. For timber produc- 

 tion the value is less than $1 per acre because of the excessive 

 washing and drainage. 



Taking the three types together the land has practically no 

 present value. Sales of large tracts of mountain land including 

 the three types have never taken into account the land values but 

 have been based entirely on the amount and quality of the timber 

 until the Forest Service began buying land in the southern 

 Appalachians. The Government has used the following figures: 



Per acre 



Cove type $S .00 



Slope type 3 . 00 



Ridge type i.oo 



