226 THE FORESTS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



Gaston. (350 sq. miles.) — Gastonia, Aug. 23, 

 1882. — As to the kinds of timber in our forests, pine 

 is the most numerous, both yellow and white. No 

 long-leaf grows in our section. Our forests are 

 about an equal mixture of all the different kinds of 

 oaks, such as white, black, red, chestnut, Spanish, 

 post, etc. There are also the pin and water oaks, 

 which grow along the swamps and watercourses. 

 The gum and black jack are found occasionally, but 

 the larger portion of our forests is pine, and for the 

 most part on the ridges. The most valuable land 

 consists of hickory and dogwood, and occasionally 

 the walnut. In the swamps, maple, ash, and birch 

 are found. About three fifths of our land is yet 

 forest, and a great portion of our poorest, worn-out 

 old fields have grown up in old-field pines, and when 

 cleared up produce cotton and wheat as well, if not 

 better than new forest land. The supply of firewood 

 timber is very plentiful, but valuable timber for 

 rails, planks, shingles, etc , is, becoming very scarce, 

 and especially heart timber. Sap timber is inex- 

 haustible, but the heart for rails, etc., is becoming so 

 scarce that our county demands the fence law. — 

 D. A. J. 



Graham. (250 sq. miles.) — Robbinsville, Aug. 27, 

 1882. — Our forest woods are walnut, poplar, chest- 

 nut, white oak, black oak, chestnut oak, red oak, 

 Spanish oak and post oak, hickory, cherry, birch, 

 linn, spruce pine, some yellow pine, and much white 

 pine. Laurel and ivy are plenty in the mountain 



