igo8~\ Forestry Problems of N. C. Banks 131 
certain, however, that by far the greatest factor in the destruction 
of the original stand has been careless lumbering. 
The destruction resulting from logging has been made perma- 
nent by unrestricted grazing, Cattle, sheep, goats and hogs have 
free range and the damage from these sources cannot be overesti- 
mated. Hogs are the greatest menace and a single hog, practi- 
cally valueless, will root out large areas of sandbinding grasses 
along the beech. Cattle and sheep complete the destruction by 
eating the roots of the uprooted grass. The sand thus liberated is 
carried away by the wind and a “blow-out” results. This blow- 
out constantly enlarges until the damage becomes general and 
large areas are affected. 
Even if grazing were an important industry on the islands, free 
range of stock would be fatal to the industry itself as well as to 
the general productiveness of the lands. The reverse is the fact, 
however, since competent observers place the total value of all stock 
between Cape Hatteras and Hatteras Inlet at no more than $1000. 
The cattle, sheep and horses are in-bred and of minimum value 
while the hogs are practically worthless since the meat is unfit for 
consumption, owing to the carrion fish upon which they feed. 
It is strongly recommended, therefore, that the Legislature 
enact suitable laws providing for the fencing of all stock upon 
this portion of the Banks. This will work no real hardship upon 
stock owners and, moreover, is an economic necessity if the indus- 
try be made profitable. Without such legal protection, all meas- 
ures for the control of shifting sand such as are described below 
will be useless. In addition, natural reproduction on the cut-over 
forest areas cannot be satisfactory since, under present conditions, 
live oak reproduction, which would otherwise be abundaut, is 
missing and even pine reproduction is very seriously damaged. 
The sand dune area which is encroaching upon the forest lies to 
the south and east of the woodland. Beginning at a point two 
miles east of Creed’s Hill Life Saving Station, it extends westward 
four and one-half miles and beyond the wooded area where the 
sand extends entirely across the banks to the sound. A descrip- 
tion of this area and certain recommendations appear below. 
