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CONDITIONS BY COUNTIES. 



Three of the largest saw mill operators, during the early- 

 years of the industry, were Ensign Manufacturing Company, 

 1871, and The Lyons Stave Company, 1871, of Huntington, and 

 "Wilson and Lyons of Guyandotte. 



The Present Timber Conditions. 



There is no virgin or cut-over forest land left in the county, 

 and nearly all the merchantable timber has been removed from 

 the farmers' woodlots. The second growth has been cut over 

 time after time and the cross-tie timber, even, is no longer to 

 be found except in small quantities. 



The woodlot area has been greatly reduced during the past 

 few years to make room for the culture of tobacco and some of 

 the upland has been cleared for apple orchards. 



CALHOUN COUNTY. 



Location and Area. 



Calhoun county, formed in 1855 from part of Gilmer, has a 

 position slightly northwest of the center of the State. Its area 

 is 280.2 square miles or 179,328 acres. 



Topography. 



The average elevation of the county is about 1,000 feet. 

 The lowest point is where the Little Kanawha river flows out 

 at 720 feet elevation and the highest point is on the summit of 

 Mule Knob, 1,550 feet elevation, in the southern end of the 

 county. The slope of the hillsides is generally gradual but, in 

 some sections, the faces are steep and difficult to cultivate. The 

 only level land is found along the Little Kanawha river and its 

 West Fork and smaller areas along the larger creeks. 



The whole county is drained by the Little Kanawha river. 

 The West Fork, with its Beech Fork and many smaller tribu- 

 taries drains the southern half of the county, and the main 

 river, with Leading creek, Yellow creek and Laurel creek as its 



