42 



FOREST CONDITIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 



poplar, linn, and pine, in addition to the chestnut, which greatly in- 

 creases the desirability of such tracts as fluming propositions. Flumes 

 are the chief means of transporting to the railroad. 



Oak, on the whole, is of inferior quality except at the higher eleva- 

 tions and on northerly slopes, where red oak becomes important. White 

 oak, as a rule, is small, short-boled, and often defective, and forms a 

 comparatively small proportion of the cut. Scarlet oak is abundant on 

 the dry flats and ridges, but makes only low grade, inferior lumber. 

 Chestnut oak has been cut for bark within 20 miles of the railroad, ex- 

 cept on the large holdings. Uncut stands containing chestnut oak will 

 yield from one-fourth to one-half cord of bark per acre. Little timber 

 of this species, however, has been utilized for lumber. 



The forests south of the Blue Kidge are, on the whole, poorer than 

 those north of it, largely because of the greater damage caused by fires 

 on the south slopes. For these south slope forests a stand of 2,500 board 

 fe&t per acre, including all merchantable timber over 10 inches in diam- 

 eter, is considered good, while the average will not exceed 1,500 or 2,000 

 board feet. Many stands north of the Blue Kidge, however, will yield 

 from 4,000 to 10,000 board feet, and occasionally more. 



Fires are becoming less and less frequent, as the result of a distinct 

 sentiment, particularly among the larger land owners, against the prac- 

 tice of burning the woods. Probably not more than 20 per cent of the 

 forest was burnt over last year ; and where the woods have escaped fire 

 for several years reproduction is satisfactory. White pine and poplar 

 reproduce readily along the Blue Ridge, while sprout growth of chest- 

 nut and the oaks is abundant in nearly all parts of the county. The 

 old fields at lower elevations near the Tuckaseigee River are stocked 

 chiefly with shortleaf, pitch and scrub pines, while white pine is a com- 

 mon old field tree in the southern part of the county. The stock law is 

 in force over the middle part of the county alone, yet its extension to the 

 entire county would unquestionably benefit both forest and cattle owners. 



HAYWOOD COUNTY. 



Haywood County covers approximately 346,000 acres, with an aver- 

 age assessed valuation of about $5 per acre. Much over half the land is 

 held in large tracts by lumbermen or speculators. 



The general topography of Haywood is very rough and the elevations 

 high. The highest point, Richland Balsam, has an elevation of 6,540 

 feet, and several other peaks are 6,000 feet or over. The main ridges, 

 along the county line to the west and south, average higher than 5,000 

 feet. 



