SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REGION. 



167 



The h3^clrographic survey of the region, conducted by the United 

 States Geological Survey, includes a general study of its topographic 

 features; of the relation of the soils, forest cover, and rainfall; of the 

 quantity of water flowing out of it through the various streams during 

 different seasons, and of the influence exerted on the regularitj' of this 

 flow b}^ forest clearings. More than 750 stream measurements have 

 alread}^ been made and much additional data of special value has been 

 secured. 



In addition to these investigations I have given thorough attention 

 to the arguments advanced by the movers for the proposed park and 

 to those of their opponents, and as a result I am strongly of the opinion 

 that this matter is worth}^ of careful consideration. 



1 have the honor to transmit herewith a mounted original copj" of a 

 large map, which shows in detail the mapping of forests accomplished 

 during the past summer over an area of nearly 8,000 square miles. A 

 full report of the work and its results is now in preparation and will 

 be submitted for your consideration at an earlj" date. The following 

 preliminary statement is made to bring before you without delay a 

 summary of the facts sufficient to set forth clearly the principal features 

 of the region and the plan. 



The movement for the purchase and control of a large area of forest 

 land in the East by the Government has chiefly contemplated a national 

 park. The idea of a national park is conservation, not use; that of a 

 forest reserve, conservation b}^ use. I have, therefore, to recommend 

 a forest reserve instead of a park. It is fully shown by the investiga- 

 tion that such a reserve would be self-supporting from the sale of tim- 

 ber under wisel}' directed conservative forestry. 



Extensive areas of hard-wood forests within the region colored on 

 the accompanying map are still in their primitive condition, and these 

 are among the very best and richest hard-wood forests of the United 

 States. The region in general is better adapted for forestrj'^ than for 

 agricultural purposes. It is located about the headwaters of numer- 

 ous streams, such as the Ohio, Tennessee, Savannah, Yadkin, and 

 Roanoke, which are important both for water power and for naviga- 

 tion. The general conditions within the region are exceptionally 

 favorable for the carrying on of large operations in practical forestr}^, 

 and the weather is suitable for lumbering operations at all seasons of 

 the year. It contains a greater variety of hard-wood trees than any 

 other region of the United States, since the Northern and Southern 

 species here meet. It is a region of exceptional beauty and pictur- 

 esqneness, and, although it would not be easily accessible to visitors 

 in all parts at all seasons of the year, by far the greater portion of its 

 area would be easil}'^ reached and climatically pleasant thi'oughout the 

 year. 



