FOREST POLICY. 



jack oak woods. These same species extend westward in open 

 groves, ending abruptly where limestone appears. Hackberry 

 said to be found everywhere. 



4. Forest ownership: All deserts and outskirts of the 

 Rockies and large forest tracts in the eastern part belong to the 

 State, which, when admitted to the Union in 184S, was allowed 

 to retain its lands and land laws. Federal government owns 

 but a few military reservations. 



Lumber companies, in 1900, own 10 billion feet stumpage 

 on 1,671,000 acres. Under the State's general land act of 189s, 

 amended in 1897, the purchase, by individuals, of large tracts be- 

 longing to the State is not prohibited. 



5. Use of timber: Mesquit and red cedar used for fuel 

 and posts. Cypress said to be of poor quality. Cottonwoods 

 unused so far. The pine belt has been developed rapidly and re- 

 cently at rising stumpage prices. The output in 1900 was 1,250,- 

 000 feet b. m., valued at $16,300,000. 



There are 601 saw mills, of $14,000 average investment. 



Logs are worth $1.17 on stump and $4.47 at mill. 



The eastern pine forests are most valuable for Texas, 

 since they have to supply the constantly growing population of 

 the treeless three-quarters of the State. 



The most important industry of Texas is cotton growing. 



Stock raising is a close second. 



The naval stores industry gradually adopts dangerous p^-o- 

 portions, since it injures the prospects for a second growth. 



Paper industry attempts to use pinewood in the soda 

 process. 



There are nine tanneries, producing about $60,000 worth of 

 leather and using about 390 cords of oak and hemlock bark and 137 

 barrels of bark extract; balance of material used is gambler. 



6. Forestry movement: A State "Forestry and Water Sup- 

 ply Association," formed in 1886, seems inactive. 



A forestry commissioner cannot be obtained from the leg- 

 islature. Remarkable is the necessity for the large Kirby Lum- 

 ber Co. to practice conservative lumbering, owing to stipulations 

 contained in its mortgage bonds. 



7. Laws: No information available. 



8. Reservations: None. 



9. Irrigation: Irrigation on the enormous cattle ranches 

 of central Texas is practically unknown. 



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