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Library OF THE University of NortK Carolina This book was presented by C55o-^l*7r 192.1.2.2. UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEI Mil i Ilillllllll 00033964853 This book must not he taken from the Library building. ^~= . . ir^_ . ',,=3 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access (NC-LSTA) http://www.archive.org/details/biennialgeolo19211922nc NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, DIRECTOR and GEOLOGIST BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST DIRECTOR 1921-1922 RALEIGH Edwards & Beoughton Printing Company 1923 GEOLOGICAL BOARD Governor Cameron Morrison, ex officio Chairman Raleigh Frank R. Hewitt Asheville C. C. Smoot, III North Wilkesboro John H. Small Washington S. Westray Battle Asheville Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director and State Geologist Chapel Hill ©O O -J 60 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Chapel Hill, N". C, December 30, 1922. To His Excellency, Hon. Camekon Morrison, Governor of North Carolina. Sir:—There is herewith submitted my biennial report on the opera-tions of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey for the years 1921 and 1922. Suggestions are made as to what legislation is considered necessary for carrying out more efficiently the duties that have been assigned to the Survey. A financial statement covering the expenditures of the Survey for the past two fiscal years is also made a part of this report. Yours respectfully, Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Introduction 9 Administrative and Records Division 12 Division of Survey 12 Cooperation with State Commissions and Bureaus 14 Conferences 15 Geological and Mining Division 19 Geological Investigations 19 Examination of Mineral Specimens 20 Mineral Statistics 21 Correspondence 23 Forestry Division 23 Protection of Forests from Fire 23 Forest Fire Statistics 25 Special Examinations 26 Study of White Cedar 27 Reproduction of Spruce and Balsam 27 Study of Longleaf Pine 27 U. S. Forest Products Laboratory 28 Work of the U. S. Forest Service in North Carolina During 1921 and 1922 29 Cooperation with Forestry Associations 31 Forests and Lumbermen 31 Forest Nursery 33 Forestry Legislation 35 State Forest and Parks Division 36 Mount Mitchell State Park 36 Grandfather Mountain Park 39 Linville Gorge Park 39 State Forests 41 Water Resources Division 42 Water Power Conference 42 Water Powers 44 District Engineer Office 46 Reconnaissance Trips 48 County Water Power Surveys 49 Special Reports 49 Stream Flow Records 51 Weather Bureau Stations 51 Sedimentation 51 Municipal Water Supplies 52 Cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey 52 Map Exhibits 52 Utility of Work of Water Resources Division 53 O CONTENTS PAGE Drainage and Reclamation Division 54 Drainage of Swamp Lands 54 Overflowed Lands 54 North Carolina Drainage Law 55 Utilization of Reclaimed Land 56 Drainage Conventions 56 Cut-over Lands 58 Biological Division 58 Mapping Division 74 Traverse Map 74 Topographic Map 74 Geological Map 76 Soil Survey Maps 76 Coast and Geodetic Survey 79 Magnetic Declinations 80 Descriptions of Stations 81 Publicity and Publications 84 Addresses 84 Publications 89 Special Articles 90 Other Publications 92 Exhibits 92 Financial Statement 93 Publications 96 BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST AND DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY On the Operations of the Survey for the Two Years Ending November 30, 1922 By JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, Director INTRODUCTION The North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey as now or-ganized represents the consolidation of various lines of investigation, conservation and departmental work under the supervision of one Board known as the Geological Board; and which corresponds to what in several of the states is called "The Conservation Commission." In some of the states these various lines of work are still being carried on under separate commissions, as geological surveys, forestry com-missions, water power commissions, biological bureaus, drainage and reclamation commissions, topographic commissions, and fish and game commissions ; but the prevailing opinion seems to be that more economic and as efficient results can be obtained by the consolidation of several or even all of these various bureaus and commissions under one head. The Act establishing the present Survey, passed by the General As-sembly of 1905 and amended by subsequent Assemblies in 1909, 1917 and 1919, outlines in considerable detail the character and extent of the work to be undertaken and carried out by this Department of the State. As stated in these several Acts, to which references are made below, the work to be undertaken and carried out by the Survey is as follows : l1 . An examination of the mineral, forest, fishery, and other material resources of the State. 2 1 . An examination of the geological formations of the State with refer-ence to their economic products. 31 . An examination of the road-building materials and the best methods of utilizing same. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, section 1621. 10 BIENNIAL EEPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 41 . An examination and classification of the soils, the forests, and other physical features of the State, with special reference to their bear-ing upon the occupation of the people. 51 . An examination of the streams and water powers of the State, with special reference to the development for manufacturing enterprises and the preservation of the sources of these streams through the protection of the forests. 6 1 . The consideration of such other scientific and economic problems as in the judgment of the geological board shall be deemed of value to the people of the State. 71 . The preparation of such reports, illustrations, and maps as may be deemed necessary in placing the results of these investigations be-fore the public. 8*. And the State Geologist, with the approval of the Geological Board, is hereby authorized to arrange for and accept such aid and co-operation from the several United States Government bureaus and other sources as may assist in completing the topographic surveys of the State and in carrying out other provisions of this chapter. 91 . An examination of the water supplies of the State, with special refer-ence to the sinking of deep or artesian wells. 102 . To collect such data and publish such reports as will lead to a more economic and efficient road-building policy for the State, and to assist in the educational side of road work by the holding of road institutes, conventions, and through the publication and distribu-tion of literature relating to road supplies and road building. II3 . To work out plans and ways and means for the reclamation of the vast swamp and overflowed areas of the State and the utilization of these very rich black soils when reclaimed. 124 . To protect and conserve the forests of the State and to administer the forest fire law passed by the General Assemblies of 1915, 1919 and 1921. 135 . To administer State forests, and to use same so as to demonstrate the practical utility of timber culture, water conservation, and their use as refuges for game. 14e . To cooperate with counties in the protection of their forests from fire, and in the development of their natural resources. 15 7 . To assist in the establishment and organization of agricultural develop-ment districts. 16s . To cooperate with the Federal Power Commission in the carrying out of rules and regulations promulgated by that Commission; and to act on behalf of the State in carrying out any regulations that may be passed relating to water powers in North Carolina other than those relating to making and regulating rates. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, section 1621. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, section 6123. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 94, article 5, section 5417. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, article 5 ; Public Laws of 1921, chapter 26. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, article 3. 8Public Laws of 1921, chapter 26. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 85, section 4693. 8Public Laws of 1921, chapter 138, section 1. BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 11 171 . To cooperate with the North Carolina Corporation Commission in in-vestigating the water power situation in North Carolina and to furnish said Commission with information regarding location of water power sites in the State, developed water powers, etc. 182 . To administer and protect Mount Mitchell State Park. 193 . To advertise the natural resources of the State through illustrated publications, maps and lectures. 20. To cooperate with other State bureaus in making investigations and publishing data in connection with the working out of certain State problems. As will be seen from the above outline, the work that the General Assembly has assigned to this Department is very varied and exten-sive, and as it relates to the investigation, conservation, protection and development of the natural resources of the State, it touches the diverse interests of all sections of Xorth Carolina and is of interest and value to every citizen of the State. The complete and successful carrying out of the work assigned to the Survey is dependent upon the amount of the appropriations made to the Survey by the General Assembly, and in making such appropriations the General Assembly should give con-sideration to the fact that the Survey's work represents what, as is stated above, is in many states the work of several State bureaus or commissions. Where the work is in any way national in scope, the Survey has re-ceived the heartiest cooperation of the various Federal bureaus, which have in many cases made liberal appropriations for cooperating with the State in certain of its investigations; and in this way the work of this Department has progressed much more rapidly than it could other-wise possibly have done. One means of advertising the natural resources of the State is through newspaper and magazine articles; but before such articles can be satisfactorily prepared information must be obtained regarding these natural resources through such investigations relating to their occurrence, location, quantity, value, facilities for development, etc., as have been and are being made by the Survey. Reports on these investi-gations have been prepared for publication, but the printing of several of them has been delayed for from one to two years on account of lack of funds for printing same. These reports are not only necessary to give the information to those who would prepare newspaper and mag-azine articles—for these articles, to be of real value, should deal with facts and accurate information—but they are also necessary to enable 'Public Laws of 1921, chapter 138, section 2. 2Public Laws of 1921, chapter 222. "•Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, article 1, section 6122; and article 2. 12 BIENNIAL KEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST the State to give to the investor, home seekers and others, as well as the students, accurate information regarding the State's natural resources. To be of the greatest value to the State these reports should he printed and be made available for distribution at the time when they will be of the most value either in conserving the interests of the people or in ad-vertising our resources when these resources are in most demand. Some of these reports, of course, have intrinsic value for all times, but some have a much greater value if they can be published as soon as the in-vestigation is completed. Delay in publication may and often does mean the withholding of information which it has cost the State and Federal Government thousands of dollars to obtain, and it may cause the State to lose many more thousands of dollars because the informa-tion is not available for capitalists who are interested in investigating and developing at once the resources to which it refers. The demand for these reports on the natural resources of the State comes not only from the people of North Carolina, but people from all over the country. If the investigations are of value to the State, the results of the investi-gations are worth a great deal more to the State, but unless they are made available they are of little or no value. ADMINISTRATIVE AND RECORDS DIVISION By JOSEPH HYDE PHATT, Director Divisions of Survey The work of the Survey is organized and conducted as outlined in the following chart : The work of the Divisions of the Survey is directed as follows : Administrative and Records Division—Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director. Geological and Mining Division—Wm. F. Prouty, Geologist. Forestry Division—J. S. Holmes, Forester. Water Resources Division—Thorndike Saville, Hydraulic Engineer. Drainage and Reclamation Division—Joseph Hyde Pratt, Engineer. Mapping Division—T. F. Hickerson, Engineer. Biological Division—W. C. Coker, Biologist. State Forests and Parks Division—Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director. The work accomplished by the several divisions and suggestions for future work and investigations is described in detail under each head. The personnel of the Worth Carolina Geological and Economic Sur-vey for the past two years has consisted of the following, who have been employed either the whole or a part of their time: Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director and State Geologist. J. S. Holmes, State Forester. W. D. Clark, Chief Forest Fire Warden. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 13 C. H. Burrage, District Forest Warden. Fred B. Merrill, District Forest Warden. D. L. Moser, Warden, Mitchell State Park. Wm. F. Prouty, Geologist. W. S. Bayley, Geologist. Jasper L. Stuckey, Geologist. Thorndike Saville, Hydraulic Engineer. Warren E. Hall, Hydraulic Engineer. L. J. Hall, Hydraulic Engineer. T. F. Hickerson, Civil Engineer. W. C. Coker, Biologist. J. N. Couch, Assistant Biologist. Miss Alma Holland, Scientific Assistant Biologist. Miss Minnie Queen, Secretary to Director. Miss Grace White, Stenographer. Miss Etoyal Parker, Stenographer. B. W. Sipe, Office Assistant. Claude V. Jones, Office Assistant. Forest Fire Wardens and Patrolmen: W. J. Bumgardner, F. C. Gwaltney, H. L. Hartley, S. D. Nester, Fred L. Shoemaker, R. L. Wiseman, H. A. Coggins, Will E. Fletcher, Clint W. Howell, T. W. Maney, Tom J. Pittilo, Grover Robeson, Garland V. Stepp, Lynn Weaver, Thomas Branch, Geo. Cloer, L. H. Moore, H. B. Steele, Sr., T. J. McDonald, D. W. Swan, J. L. McClure, H. B. Steele, Jr., Ernest D. Penland, Ed. T. Shearer, C. F. Denton, Geo. A. Brown, Matt L. Burress, Jonas Medford, Jarvis Palmer, A. J. Sumner, R. J. Fletcher, J. P. Whitaker, R. F. Jarrett, C. G. Rogers, A. H. Weaver, Robt. Brinkley, Charlie Hemphill, R. C. Nanney, Geo. Rhom, G. R. Dale, Lit Durham, H. Forney, W. J. Hardin, G. E. Isaacs, L. B. Murray, Sibbald Smith, Riley McCall, G. W. Robbins, J. F. Blackburn, Geo. E. Blevins, Geo. W. Bradley, J. T. Byrd, C. H. Colvard, Grant Cothren, G. A. Eller, P. D. Emerson, A. C. Hendrix, L. M. Jarvis, R. C. Meadows, H. H. Moorehouse, W. H. Nichols, W. A. Payne, Cama Robeson, J. W. Robbins, D. C. Sebastian, W. C. Triplett, G. H. Walker, Vance Wright, W. E. Perry, J. A. Bristol, B. B. Morrow, J. M. Payne, B. M. Young, R. A. Swain, V. G. Groves, Ralph W. Ledford, J. W. Crisp, W. P. Rose, W. L. Gaddy, Benson Phillips, Jas. R. Plott, J. P. Bumgardner, G. C. Crawford, Meritt Matthews, John F. Melton, Jerry Moody, A. C. Watson, W. B. McGuire, A. B. Burgin, Dewey G. Brown, M. R. Nanney, J. L. Waters, Billie Peterson, W. C. Street, W. W. Jenkins, Robt. H. McMahan, W. C. Gravely, S. A. Jones, W. J. Owen, Geo. Green, J. R. May, James Sherwood, G. C. Parsons, J. A. Hannum, Sewell R. Phillips, Joe Robison, W. R. Rice, J. B. Rice, F. B. Cutler, G. M. Harris, A. B. Wallace, J. E. Daugherty, A. B. Hawkin, C. J. Heath, J. A. Morton, S. N. Moore, W. E. Moore, G. F. Bryant, J. W. Carmon, G. M. Evans, S. F. Mitch-ell, B. C. Nicholson, S. F. Mauney, Oscar Lovedahl, R. W. Christian, G. F. Hubbard, R. C. Leggett, J. A. McLean, W. T. Reaves, John L. Smith, H A. Williams, J. Claude Williams, F. C. Yarboro, R. F. Benton, J. W. Dale, J. M. Gore, W. C. Gore, T. G. Sessions, J. S. Johnson, R. J. Horner, James F. Berry, N. M. Britt, R. M. Bruton, D. C. Lemon, M. A. Wicker, C. H. Bonham, T. W. Mercer, Elijah A. Orrell, J. G. Blake, W. H. Lewis, Erie D. McKoy, W. J. Ennis, R. M. Pearson, and J. L. Underwood. 14 BIENNIAL EEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST Temporary Geologists and Assistants: M. R. Campbell, Kent K. Kimball, Lynn John Adcock, Wm. Thomas Cox and D. M. Moodie. Laborers on Mitchell Park: Artus Moser, Fred Moser, Bingham Downs and Fred Herron. Surveyors and Assistants in Water Power Investigations : L. W. Fischel, G. Wallace Smith, Oscar E. Martin, R. P. Farrell, J. H. Council, A. Y. Cottrell, Hubert Neville and Norman M. Paull. Temporary Clerks and Stenographers: Laura Payne Mangum, Jesse R. Rhue, Edward Wilson, L. W. Fischel, Hazel Ledbetter, L. B. Marshall, Bessie Merritt, Mrs. Jasper L. Stuckey, Mamie Pickard, R. E. Boyd. Gauge Readers: J. M. Wall, Ada Kidd, S. N. Reynolds, Martin A. Faulk, Georgia E. Walldrup, J. Z. Wright, Willie Mengus, J. T. Hayes, W. L. Wyatt, A. D. Kilpatrick and Allen Kidd. Draftsmen: A. S. Chase, Roy J. Morton, L. W. Fischel, Raymond J. Rosenberger, S. C. Austin, J. B. Broach, K. B. Noe, and M. A. Hill, Jr. Cooperation with State Commissions and Bureaus The Survey has tried to cooperate in every way possible with the several State commissions and bureaus. It prepared and turned over to the State Highway Commission type-written copies of the results of Mr. Jasper L. Stuckey's investigation of structural materials of the State. A cooperative arrangement has been made with the Commissioner of Labor and Printing in regard to information obtained relating to water powers, and the Survey in collecting its statistics is obtaining information at the same time that is especially desired by the Com-missioner of Labor and Printing. It has also prepared for that De-partment special reports on the amount of water power produced in the State. The Survey has also prepared for the Commissioner of Labor and Printing information regarding the production of minerals in this State. The Survey is cooperating with the Corporation Commission in collecting information and statistics regarding water powers, trans-mission lines, etc. At the request of the Governor, the Survey prepared a special report, in cooperation with the Fisheries Commission, on the fisheries of the State, their protection and development. The Survey has cooperated with the Insurance Department in fur-nishing information in regard to the value of mineral properties owned by corporations who are trying to sell stock in North Carolina. In collecting statistics relating to forest fires the Insurance Depart-ment is furnished such statistics as they desire relating to buildings destroyed during the fires. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 15 The Survey has cooperated with the State Board of Charities and Public Welfare in investigating prison conditions and suggested legis-lation. The State Survey has had the hearty cooperation of several of the Federal bureaus in the following investigations : In cooperation with the TJ. S. Geological Survey, the State Survey has completed the investigation of the magnetic iron ores of Ashe and Avery counties; and the brown iron ores of "Western North Carolina; and made a detailed investigation of the Deep River coal basin; and collected statistics relating to the quantity and value of minerals pro-duced in the State during the years 1920 and 1921. In cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of Mines, the Survey has investi-gated metallurgical treatment of the iron ores of Western North Carolina ; the method of mining and hazards of mining of the Deep River coal deposits ; and made coking and washing tests of coal from this same area. The U. S. Forest Service has cooperated very extensively with the State Survey in the protection of the forests from fire, this cooperation being conducted as authorized by the Weeks Law. The Forest Service has also cooperated with the Survey through its Experiment Stations at Asheville and New Orleans in special investigations relating to re-production. The Survey has cooperated with the Southern Forestry Congress, the National Drainage Congress, American Forestry Association, the Na-tional Research Council, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Mississippi Valley Association in national meetings, in investiga-tions relating to problems in which North Carolina is peculiarly in-terested, and in presenting information relating to North Carolina in which the different organizations were interested. With several State associations the Survey has been very closely as-sociated and has assisted the North Carolina Forestry Association, the North Carolina Drainage Association, the North Carolina Agricul-tural Society, the Made-in-Carolinas Association, and the Made-in-Caro-linas Exposition in holding conventions and expositions. Conferences The following represent the principal conferences that the Director has held during the biennial period : 1921 April 28. Before Florida Forestry Congress at Tallahassee, Fla. : Conserva-tion of the People's Resources, with special reference to forests. 16 BIENNIAL EEPORT STATE GEOLOGIST April 29. Before House of Representatives of the Florida Legislature: Forestry Legislation,. May 3. Before Convention of the Mississippi Valley Association at New Or-leans, La.: Water-Power Development in Western North Carolina. May 18. Before Good Roads Mass Meeting at Columbia, S. C: Organiza-tion of Good Roads Forces. Conference at Asheville in regard to appropriation from Buncombe County, in Protection of Forests from Fire, October 10, 1921. Conference of citizens of Murphy in regard to the Natural Resources of Chero-kee County and area, August 30, 1921. Conference at Cranberry with Prof. Bayley and Mr. Burchard and members of the Cranberry Furnace Company in regard to magnetic separation of iron ores, July 25, 1921. Director, National Drainage Congress at St. Paul, Minn., September 22, 1921. Executive Committee, Southern Forestry Congress at Atlanta, July 20, 1921. Meetings of the North Carolina Agricultural Society; one in October and one in December. Meeting of the National Berkshire Hog Breeders Association at Pinehurst during Sandhill Fair, October, 1921. . Conference of the Directors of the Made-in-Carolinas Exposition Company (September 7). Meeting of the North Carolina (Society of Civil Engineers at Greensboro (July 8). Conference of State Geologists, Knoxville and Johnson City, Tenn., October 13, 1921. 1922 January 24. Conference at Asheville with Major Fiske, and Messrs. Hoyt, Hall and Matthews in regard to Cooperation between Tennessee River Survey and U. S. Geological Survey and the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey. On February 2, at Chapel Hill with R. P. Richardson of Reidsville in regard to various gold properties in the State. On February 4, at Raleigh with State Fair officials in regard to development of the State Fair Grounds and policy to pursue with regard to ex-hibits. On February 12, at Washington, D. C, with J. C. Williams, Manager of De-velopment Service of the Southern Railway, in regard to the water power situation in the Southern Appalachian region and the desirability of the President of the Southern Railway calling a conference to be held at Asheville of all parties interested in water power and other development in the South; also in regard to cooperating with them in making examination of clay deposits along the Southern Railway. On February 15, at Washington, D. C, with Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt, Presi-dent of the State Fair, regarding appointment of directors of the Fair, and shaping policy for the coming year. On February 16, at Washington, D. C, with Messrs. Lyons and Van Siclen of the U. S. Bureau of Mines in regard to their cooperating with the Survey in making an investigation of the best method of mining and handling the coal in the Deep River coal field. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 17 On February 19, at Washington, D. C, with Colonel Henry S. Graves of the Yale Forestry School, in regard to forestry work in North Carolina, and what was being done in regard to teaching natural resources and forestry in the University of North Carolina and the A. and E. College. On February 23, at Washington, D. C, with M. R. Campbell of the U. S. Geological Survey, in regard to their further cooperation with the State Survey in making a detailed geological examination of the Deep River coal field, together with a topographic map of the same. With J. G. Peters and R. D. Forbes of the U. S. Forest Service in regard to work of the Forest Service Experiment Station at Asheville and co-operative work of the Survey with Forest Service under the Weeks Law. With R. S. Maddox, State Forester of Tennessee, in regard to cooperation between the two states in the protection of forests from fire in those counties bordering the North Carolina-Tennessee line. On February 24, at Raleigh with Secretaries of Chambers of Commerce and others in planning for a Carolina Products Week. It was decided that the best time to hold this Week would be in September. Conference with 0. M. Butler, Forester of the American Forestry Associa-tion, in regard to cooperation of that association with the various departments of the several states. Conference with R. P. Richardson at Chapel Hill in further regard to develop-ment of gold properties. , Conference at Chapel Hill with J. J. Forbes of the Bureau of Mines in regard to the investigation of the mining conditions in the Deep River coal field and arranging for his work there. On March 22, conference at Charlotte in connection with the Made-in-Caro-linas Association. On March 10, meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agricultural Society at Raleigh. March 24, meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agri-cultural Society at Raleigh. April 5, conference in Charlotte in connection with the Made-in-Carolinas Association. April 26, conference in Charlotte in connection with the Made-in-Carolinas Association. April 27, meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agri-cultural Society at Raleigh. Meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Drainage Asso-ciation at Goldsboro. April 29, conference at Goldsboro with F. H. Newell, Consulting Engineer of the U. S. Reclamation Service, and Congressman W. B. Bankhead in regard to National Reclamation work and a National Reclamation Bill. May 16, conference at Asheville with N. C. Grover of the Water Resources Division of the U. S. Geological Survey; Major Harold C. Fiske, District Engineer of the War Department at Chattanooga, Tenn., and Wilbur A. Nelson, State Geologist of Tennessee, in regard to the water-power conference of the Southern Appalachian states. 18 BIENNIAL KEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST May 17, conference at Asheville with Fred Perley in regard to opening and use of highway to Mount Mitchell State Park. May 19, meeting of the North Carolina Agricultural Society at Raleigh. May 22-23, conference at Washington with Herbert Hoover, Secretary, and C. H. Huston, Assistant Secretary of Commerce; O. C. Merrill, Executive Secretary of the Federal Power Commission; N. C. Grover of the U. S. Geological Survey; Col. C. H. Birdseye of the Topographic Division of the U. S. Geological Survey; J. G. Peters and T. W. Nor-cross of the U. S. Forest Service; Lincoln Green, Vice-President, and J. C. Williams, Manager of Development Service of the Southern Railway, in regard to the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference to be held in Asheville June 20-22. June 5, meeting of the North Carolina Agricultural Society at Raleigh. June 6, conference at Macon, Ga., with officers of the Georgia Forestry Asso-ciation in regard to legislation relating to forestry for the State of Georgia. June 19, conference with Asheville Conference Committee of the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference. June 16, meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agricul-tural Society at Raleigh. June 20-22, meeting of the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference at Asheville. June 23, Director attended meeting of the Southern Appalachian Section of the American Foresters at Asheville. June 29, conference at Raleigh with L. W. Stephenson regarding the publica-tion of the State report on the Upper Cretaceous Formations of North Carolina which is being published in cooperation with the U. S. Geologi-cal Survey. Meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agricultural Society. The Mississippi Valley Association, of which the Director is the director for North Carolina and Mr. Small is the vice-president of the Water- Power Section, held its annual meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, April 25-26, and was attended by Mr. Small. July 9, with Directors of Made-in-Carolinas Association at Charlotte. August 11, with representatives of Western North Carolina at Asheville in regard to holding a Western North Carolina tourist industry con-ference. August 24 and 25, with W. D. Tyler, President, and R. D. Forbes, Secretary, of the Southern Forestry Congress, in regard to annual meeting of this Congress. November 18, with Dr. H. F. Moore, Deputy Commissioner of the U. S. Bu-reau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C., regarding North Carolina fisheries. November 21, with Col. C. H. Birdseye of the Topographic Division of the U. S. Geological Survey, regarding cooperation with the State Survey in preparation of map of North Carolina. November 22, with W. C. Mendenhall, Chief Geologist of the U. S. Geological Survey, and Wilbur A. Nelson, State Geologist of Tennessee, in regard to publication of the cooperative report on the magnetic iron ores of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. BIENNIAL BEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST 19 With J. G. Peters of the U. S. Forest Service in regard to cooperative work of the Forest Service with the State Survey in protection of the forests from fire. November 24, at Greensboro with members of the Committee of One Hundred on Prison Reform. GEOLOGICAL AND MDfOG DIYISION By JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, State Geologist Geological Investigations During the past two years the principal geological investigations of the Survey have related to iron ores; structural materials; clays and clay products ; coal ; talc ; and barytes ; and the preparation of a geologi-cal map of the State. Iron Ores.—The investigation of the iron ores of Western North Carolina has been completed and the results will be published in two bulletins: one on the Iron Ores of "Western North Carolina, by Prof. "W. S. Bayley; and the second one on the Magnetites of "Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, by Prof. "W. S. Bayley, which will be published as a joint bulletin by the Tennessee and North Caro-lina Surveys. Both these reports have been sent to the printer, but owing to lack of funds have not yet been printed. Several typewritten copies of the report on the brown iron ores were made and distributed. Condensed reports of these two bulletins have been published as bul-letins of the TJ. S. Geological Survey, as all this work was cooperative between the Federal and State Surveys. These reports give detailed' in-formation regarding the location, geological and physical occurrence of the iron ores, methods of mining, and treatment of the ores. Structural Materials.—Results of the investigations made by Mr. Jasper L. Stuckey on structural materials have been typewritten and several copies sent out to interested parties, including the State High-way Commission. On account of lack of funds this report has not been printed. This report gives the occurrence of gravel and certain sand deposits in North Carolina and calls attention to many of the stone deposits. Clays and Clay Products.—There has been an unusual demand for information relating to the clays and clay products of North Carolina, and in this work the Survey has had the services of Mr. D. M. Moddie, who has had long years of experience in the clay industry. He has made examinations of clay deposits in Forsyth, Davidson, Stanly, Moore, Montgomery, Richmond, Anson, Burke, McDowell and Madison counties, and special reports have been typewritten and sent to those de-siring same. 20 BIENNIAL EEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST The clay industry is one of the more important mineral industries in the State and the Survey should be in a position to assist the industry in every way possible. There is urgent need of a ceramic laboratory for the Survey in which any and all tests can be made relating to the clay and clay products of the State. At the present time the Survey is only in a position to make preliminary tests, and all final and complete tests have to be made at outside laboratories. Most of this work is done for the Survey by the Ceramic Laboratory at Columbus, Ohio. Such a laboratory is also needed by the University of JSTorth Carolina, and the Survey and the University could very efficiently use one laboratory. Coal.—One of the more interesting investigations that has been con-ducted during the past two years has been that relating to the coal deposits occurring in the Triassic formations of Lee, Chatham and Moore counties. This investigation, which has been under the direct supervision of Mr. M. R. Campbell, geologist of the U. S. Geologi-cal Survey, assisted by Mr. Kent K. Kimball and Mr. fm. T. Cox, has shown the existence of a basin of coal which contains, as estimated by the geologist, at least sixty million tons of commercial coal. This in-vestigation was made in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey. The result of this investigation will be ready for publication during the month of February. Talc.—During the summer of 1922, Mr. Jasper L. Stuckey made a thorough investigation of the talc (pyrophyllite) deposits of Moore County, adjoining the Triassic formations. This investigation was taken up to determine something more definite regarding the occurrence and origin of the pyrophyllite, as well as its quantity and methods of mining. Barytes.—A report has been prepared by Mr. Anson G. Betts on the barytes deposits of Madison County. This report has not been printed on account of lack of funds. Geological Map.—A geological map has been compiled by Prof. Wm. F. Prouty, of the University of North Carolina, and the Director; and this will be ready for publication early in the spring. There is a very large demand for this map, as none has been published since the Kerr- Holmes map of 1890. Examination of Mineral Specimens There were received at the Survey office during the past two years 385 samples of minerals and rocks for examination. These were care-fully looked over and examined, and reports made to the senders as to the character of the sample and its possible commercial value. Most of BIENNIAL, REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 21 the samples received do not represent anything of commercial or scien-tific value, but occasionally samples are received which are of real in-terest and have led to development of commercial supplies of these minerals. The Survey makes no charge for such mineralogical determinations, but when an assay or chemical analysis is considered worth while the Survey arranges, if desired, for such analysis to be made, for which there is a special charge. Mineral Statistics In cooperation with the IT. S. Geological Survey statistics have been collected regarding the mineral production in North Carolina during 1920 and 1921, with the exception of the statistics relating to clay prod-ucts in 1921, and gold and silver. These statistics have usually been published by the Director in a report on the mining industry of the State for the biennial period, but owing to lack of funds this report has not been printed for the last four years. The total value of the minerals and mineral products produced in North Carolina during 1920 was $8,183,661 and the mineral prod-ucts produced were brick and tile, granite, mica, feldspar, sand, gravel, iron, marble and other forms of limestone, pottery clay, kaolin, coal, talc, soapstone, peat, quartz, sandstone, barytes, millstones and mineral wa-ters. There were 229 producers of the above minerals, who obtained their productions from the following 67 counties: Alamance, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumber-land, Davidson, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Gaston, Guil-ford, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Johns-ton, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mecklen-burg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, ISTash, New Hanover, Northamp-ton, Pasquotank, Pender, Pitt, Randolph, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Yance, "Wake, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson and Yancey. The total value of the minerals and mineral products produced id North Carolina during 1921, with the exception of clay used in the manufacture of brick, tile, and terra-cotta products, was $4,894,806, and the mineral products produced were : barytes, clay (including kaolin and stoneware), coal, feldspar, gold, granite, iron, limestone, marble, mica (including muscovite and biotite), millstones, mineral waters, peat, sand and gravel, sandstone, silver, talc and soapstone. There were 76 producers of the above minerals, who obtained their production from 22 BIENNIAL EEPORT STATE GEOLOGIST the following 3"6 counties : Anson, Avery, Buncombe, Caswell, Chero-kee, Cleveland, Craven, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Haywood, Hen-derson, Jackson, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Rocking-ham, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Wayne, Wilson and Yancey. Arrangements have already been made with the U. S. Geological Sur-vey for the collecting of similar statistics for 1922, as per the following agreement : Agreement.—For cooperation in the collection of statistical data between the United States Geological Survey and the State Geologist of North Carolina. In order to avoid duplication of requests for statistical information of mine and quarry operations, and also in order that the State Geologist may be kept in touch with the mineral producers of the State, the following agreement between the Director, Geological and Economic Survey, and the Director of the United States Geological Survey is made for the collection of the statistics of mineral production (with the exception of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc) in 1922. As soon as possible after the first of December a numbered list of the mineral producers in the State of North Carolina (a duplicate of the working list of the Federal Survey) will be sent to the State Geologist, who will check it with the data in his office and notify the Federal Survey of any additions and corrections. These corrections will be made on the list of the Federal Survey, properly numbered, and the State Geologist advised of the list number given. The blanks for the collection of statistical data will be printed at the expense of the United States Geological Survey and stamped with the state-ment that the work is done in cooperation with the State Survey. The inquiries will be mailed from the United States Geological Survey, but will contain a franked envelope for the return of the reply to the State Geologist. If the State Geologist considers a report incorrect he will attach a memorandum of the points questioned to the statistical card before forward-ing same to the Federal Survey. If correction is obtained by the Federal Survey through correspondence with the producer or in any other way, a copy of the corrected report will be furnished the State Geologist. The second and third requests for information will be prepared in the office of the Federal Survey in the same manner as the first request. The fourth request will be sent by registered mail. After all means to secure returns by mail have been exhausted, the State Geologist will undertake to secure the reports of delinquents by personal visits of himself or his assistants. Before any publication of results is made, the totals for each subject must be checked and agreed upon by the State Survey and the United States Geological Survey, in order that there may be no discrepancy in the published data. Figures representing the output of less than three producers will not be published, unless authorization therefor has been obtained in writing from the producers interested. It is understood that in all preliminary or BIENNIAL KEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 23 press notices relating to the mineral embraced under cooperation, issued by either the Federal Survey or the State Survey, credit for the cooperative plan will be given. (Signed) Geo. Otis Smith, Director, United States Geological Survey. (Signed) Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director, North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey. Dated October 19, 1922. Correspondence Considerable time of the Director and State Geologist is taken up in answering inquiries regarding the location, occurrence, and quantity of the various minerals that are known to occur in North Carolina. In many instances the information desired is available in the publica-tions of the Survey, which can be sent to the inquirer. In many other cases, however, the information has not been published and it is neces-sary to write out the information desired in each case. Such inquiries have been received requesting information relating to iron ores, gold and silver, copper, lead, zinc, and tin ores; talc, coal, barytes, mica, feldspar, garnet, lime, marl; cement, clays and clay products, includ-ing pottery, tile, terra-cotta and brick; zircon, rutile, ochre, peat, and gem minerals. In several instances the information submitted has led to the investigation of many properties and investment in same. FORESTRY DIVISION J. S. HOLMES, State Forester The work of this Division has been under the direct supervision of Mr. J. S. Holmes, State Forester, assisted by Mr. W. D. Clark, Chief Forest Fire Warden. By reason of the increase in the appropria-tion for the work of the Survey made by the General Assembly of 1921, considerable additional work was taken up in this Division during the biennial period. The principal extension in the work was in the pro-tection of greater areas of forest from fire. Protection of Forests From Fire All the work done in this State by the Survey in connection with the prevention of forest fires is in cooperation with the U. S. Forest Service under the Weeks Law. Mr. W. D. Clark, Chief Forest Fire Warden, is in direct charge of this work, assisted by Messrs. C. H. Burrage and Fred B. Merrill, District Wardens, who have the direct supervision of the work of the forest wardens. Considerable time has been spent by Mr. Holmes, Mr. Clark, the District Forest Wardens, and the Director in interesting the several counties of the State in co- 24 BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST operating with the Survey in the protection of their forests from fire as authorized by the General Assembly of 1921. (Public Laws 192 J, Chapter 26). The Survey has carried on forest fire prevention work in the counties listed below, and has appointed within those counties 14:5 forest wardens, as indicated: Alexander 2, Ashe 1, Avery 4, Beaufort 3, Buncombe 8, Burke 2, Caldwell 2, Cherokee 6, Clay 6, Columbus 5, Craven 6, Cum-berland 11, Graham 3, Harnett 1, Haywood 8, Henderson 2, Jackson 9, Macon 1, McDowell 8, Mitchell 3, Montgomery 2, Moore 2, New Hanover 3, Pender 3, Polk 1, Eutherford 2, Sampson 3, Surry 2, Swain 3, Tran-sylvania 4, Watauga 4, Wilkes 21, Yancey 4. The appointment of the wardens in those counties which are co-operating with the Survey is on recommendation of the county com-missioners. The organization of these fire wardens is becoming more effective, and as they become better acquainted with the work expected of them they consequently are much more efficient. Areas bordering the National Forests in North Carolina have been designated by the Director as forest fire districts, and forest wardens have been appointed to patrol these areas, although some of them are in counties which are not cooperating with the Survey. This was considered advisable inasmuch as it gave a very large contiguous area of forest land that was patrolled and has made a splendid illustration that satisfactory results can be obtained in protecting the forests of such large areas from fire, and illustrates further what might be ex-pected if the State would make adequate provision for protecting all its forested area. On account of the requests from counties for cooperation in the protection of their forested areas the Survey will be obliged during the next biennial period to withdraw its wardens from those counties which do not cooperate except in the limited areas in those counties adjoining the National Forests. It will be very greatly to the advantage of this phase of the work of the Survey if a sufficient appropriation could be made by the State to enable the Survey, in making its coopera-tive agreement with the counties, to state in the agreement that the county will be called upon to pay only the cost of putting out the fires, while the State will pay the cost of all the wardens. At a conference with representatives of the U. S. Forest Service a plan of organization for the next biennial period was decided upon which is somewhat different from that in force during the past two years. There will be appointed in each county a county forest warden who will have direct supervision of the work of the forest wardens in his county, and in addition there will be appointed deputy forest BIENNIAL, REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 25 wardens who will only be called upon for service when there is a forest fire. It is believed that with such an organization forest fires can be located within a very short time after they start, and a suffi-cient force collected at the scene of the fire to enable it to be extinguished before very much damage has been done. Under the "Weeks Law there was allotted for cooperative forest fire protection work in North Carolina for the fiscal year July 1, 1921, to June 30, 1922, the sum of $35,000, but owing to lack of funds the Survey was only able to take advantage of approximately $10,000 of this amount. For the year July 1, 1922, to June 30, 1923, the Forest Service would have allowed the State $24,000 if the State could have met the appro-priation. The allotment was cut to $12,000 which the State Survey was able to meet. For the fiscal year July 1, 1923, to June 30, 1924, the State can probably receive $24,000 if the General Assembly makes sufficient appropriations so that it can meet this allotment on a fifty-fifty basis. There is now a bill before Congress increasing the Federal appropriation for cooperating with states under the Weeks Law, and if this bill is passed the State's allotment would be from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars. Forest Fire Statistics Statistics relating to forest fires, their causes, area burned over, re-sulting damage, etc., have been collected for the years 1920 and 1921. At the beginning of January each year a questionnaire on forest fires was sent out to some two thousand voluntary forest fire correspondents, representing nearly all the townships in the State. The forest wardens also make reports. The statistics thus collected from these several sources represent approximately the damage the State is suffering from forest fires. There is given in the following table the results of these investigations for the years 1920 and 1921 : 1920 1921 Number of fires 1,607 1,632 Area burned over 190,000 271,430 Standing timber destroyed (M. ft.) 39,000 35,000 Value of young growth destroyed $ 514,000 $ 552,000 Total damage reported 1,258,000 1,092,500 There is no doubt but that a considerable percentage of this loss could have been prevented if the Survey had had sufficient funds to organize the protective forces in each county. Before forest fire pre-vention work can ever be made the most effective it will be necessary to have the support and cooperation of the people of the State, and this can be obtained when they are made to realize that each one is materially affected by this loss from forest fires. 26 BIENNIAL REPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST Special Examinations As far as practicable, the Survey has made special examinations of forested areas for individuals and corporations where such examinations were in the interest of solving some particular problem, or where the investigations made would give information of value to the State as a whole. During the biennial period the State Forester has made the following special examinations : In April, 1921, the Hermitage Plantation at Castle Hayne, New Hanover County, was examined in company with the owner, Mr. Geo. C. Burgwin of Pittsburgh, Pa. The problems considered were the preservation and conservation of the forests, and reproduction. In June, 1921, the Forester visited the property of Mr. Bennett Nelme near Ansonville to study the damage done to the forested area of the farm by a hailstorm and to advise as to what was the best thing to do with the timber. In September, 1921, the Forester met the Boulevard Committee of Chapel Hill and Durham to arrange plans for planting and reserving shade trees along the Chapel Hill-Durham Highway. In October, 1921, in company with Mr. Chapin Jones, State Forester of Virginia, and Mr. C. F. Korstian of the Appalachian Forest Experi-ment Station, the State Forester made a preliminary investigation of the growth and condition of white cedar on the forested area of the property of the Richmond Cedar "Works. An examination was also made in October by the Forester, in com-pany with Mr. Korstian of the U. S. Forest Service, of Riverside Park, Rocky Mount, belonging to the Pocky Mount Mills. It was desired to develop this park for the benefit of the public, and the For-ester prepared a plan for thinning of the trees and preservation of the trees to be retained, and for the general development of the park. In February, 1922, the Forester, in company with Mr. E. F. McCar-thy of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station, visited Cranberry, Avery County, and measured sample trees and plots of yellow poplar which were originally laid off and measured in September, 1920. Seed-lings of yellow poplar had come up in abundance on the thinned areas and both Foresters were greatly impressed by the rapid growth and very favorable development of the yellow poplar on this tract. In September, 1922, the Forester, together with Messrs. E. H. Frothingham and C. F. Korstian of the U. S. Forest Experiment BIENNIAL BEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST 27 Station at Asheville, examined certain forested; areas in Orange County as example of Piedmont forests. Study of White Cedar At the request of the Survey, the Experiment Station agreed to cooper-ate with the Survey in the study of white cedar or juniper in the Dismal Swamp region of North Carolina. The Forester, with repre-sentatives from the Experiment Station, has made several trips into Eastern North Carolina in Pasquotank, Tyrrell, Dare, and other counties in connection with this investigation. The object of the study is to determine, if possible (1) how lands once in white cedar but now densely covered with shrubs can be brought back to the original growth ; (2) how logging can best be conducted in order to secure reproduc-tion of white cedar after logging; (3) to determine the rate of growth and general sylvicultural requirements of the white cedar in such situa-tions. Preliminary reports were made to the interested landowners, and a final report will be published by the State or Eederal Government. Reproduction of Spruce and Balsam In cooperation with the Forest Service Experiment Station at Ashe-ville, the Survey is making an investigation relating to the reproduc-tion of spruce and balsam. Very satisfactory results have thus far been obtained in the reproduction of these species on the Mount Mitchell State Park, which has been protected from fire for the past six years. An area partly on the Park and partly on the National Forest and lying on the east slope of Mount Mitchell, which was devastated by forest fires before it came into the possession of the State and Federal Governments, is to be replanted. This is done for two purposes, one to demonstrate that it is possible to reforest such an area by the planting of seeds and seedlings, and the other to bring back into forests an area which is an eye-sore to the tens of thousands of visitors that are now visiting the State Park each year and have to pass this area en route. Study of Longleaf Pine A study of second-growth longleaf pine has been made in Eastern North Carolina in cooperation with the National Research Council. The work was done by the Forester. The object of the study was to obtain reliable data on the yield per acre of even-aged, well stocked second-growth stands of longleaf pine. Measurements were made on 24 plots. The most noticeable result of the investigation was that only 28 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST a very small amount of second-growth longleaf pine could be found, which is due without doubt chiefly to the frequent burning of the land and the presence of hogs. U. S. Forest Products Laboratory The Forest Products Laboratory of the IT. S. Forest Service, which is located at Madison, Wisconsin, sent out a party of skilled men to make a study of waste wood in factory use at several chair factories in Pied-mont North Carolina. They visited and studied conditions in the factory of the Thomasville Chair Company and the Standard Chair Company at Thomasville, and of the Hickory Manufacturing Com-pany at Hickory. This laboratory is making some very interesting investigations relating to the use of woods, substitution of woods, etc., and placed at the disposal of the Survey for distribution to the wood-using industries of the State copies of their report of what is being done. The laboratory is ready to cooperate with the Survey and assist our wood-using industries in solving the problems that are confronting them. Copies of the report of the work of this laboratory were forwarded by the Director to nearly all the wood-using industries in the State, accompanied by the following letter: Gentlemen:—In these times of keen competition it is essential that manu-facturers of wood products should be in possession of the latest informa-tion regarding the properties of the various kinds of wood and their suit-ability for different uses. With the object of putting you in touch with such information, I am enclosing a circular describing the aims and work of the Forest Products Laboratory. This circular has been kindly furnished by the U. S. Forest Service for distribution in this State. If you are already familiar with the work this most valuable Govern-ment institution is doing, please pass this book on to some other interested party; but, if not, I hope you will read it and then take advantage of the as-sistance and advice which is offered all users of wood in the industries. If there is any assistance that you desire or if you have any suggestions re-lating to investigations you think should be made, please write to us regard-ing same. With the growing scarcity of certain kinds and grades of timber some modification in the lumber requirements and specifications of our wood-using industries is inevitable; and if the Survey can assist you to a more economical use of the so-called inferior grades which have heretofore been often misused or wasted, it will be only too glad to do so. Yours very truly, (Signed) Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 29 Work of the U. S. Forest Seryice in North Carolina During 1921 and 1922 The following is a condensed report of the activities of the U. S. Forest Service in North Carolina during the past two years, as re-ported to the Survey: During the years 1921 and 1922 there was approved for purchase in North Carolina, under the Act of March 1, 1911, 24,421 acres of forest land at the headwaters of navigable streams and located largely in Madison, Macon, Avery and Caldwell counties. This makes the total area purchased or approved for pur-chase in the State of North Carolina up to July 1, 1922, 349,870.20 acres, situated in three National Forests—the Unaka, the Pisgah, and Nantahala. The administration of the National Forest areas in North Carolina has been featured in 1922 by the most severe fire season in the history of these areas as National Forests. Progress in perfecting the fire protection system has been steady, however, and reports for the year will show a smaller acreage burned over than in preceding seasons. The North Carolina National Forests are becoming steadily more popular as public recreation areas. It is estimated that 10,000 people passed over the Pisgah motor road during the past summer, while some 22,000 traveled the scenic road to Mount Mitchell. The National Forest road and trail programs are being pushed ahead as rapidly as funds will permit. The timber sale business on the North Carolina Forests has been dull during the past two years due to the general depression in the lumber industry, but there are many indications pointing toward a revival of timber sale activities in the Appalachian Forests in 1923. As in previous years the Forest Service during 1921 and 1922 con-tinued cooperation with North Carolina in the protection from fire of the forested watersheds of navigable streams. The area of forested land brought under protection is estimated to havej increased by 5,000,000 acres over the area protected in 1920. In carrying on this work the Federal Government expended $2,226 in 1921 and $9,506.91 in 1922, or a total for the two years of $11,732.91. The North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey expended for the same purpose from State moneys $5,052.77 and $9,506.92, respectively, during these two years, or a total of $14,559.69. The Federal expenditure of $9,506.91 in 1922 could have been at least doubled if State funds had been available to meet the increase in Federal expenditure. One of the most forward steps taken during the years 1921 and 1922 was the establishment in July, 1921, of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station with headquarters at Asheville. It is fully be- 30 BIENNIAL BEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST lieved that this station in the Southern Appalachian Mountains will do as much towards solving the forestry problems in that region, not only in North Carolina but in the other Southern Appalachian states, as the agricultural experiment stations have done for the agricultural problems in the different states. The general purpose of such a station is to secure concrete facts concerning the life-history and growth of the forests and their response to climatic conditions, dif-ferences in slope, altitude and aspect, the effect of lumbering upon the forests, and what can be expected in the way of growth and development of the timber under the great variety of conditions which are found in the region. It is believed that economic forces in the Southern Appalachian states are rapidly approaching a condition which will make the practice of forestry an objective even with commercial timber operators. The region is possessed of many very valuable timber trees whose growth is rapid and whose perpetuation it is be-lieved can easily be brought about. The force at the experiment station consists as yet only of four technical men and a clerk, but since these men devote their entire time to forest research problems they should be able to accomplish a good deal for the region. The first study undertaken was that of determining the requirements neces-sary to keep forest lands in the region productive. Other projects in progress include a study of the methods of cutting and natural re-generation of the hardwood forests, the success and growth which has attended the planting of trees on the Biltmore Estate, damage to the forests by fire, relation between reforestation and grazing, and special studies of the yellow poplar and southern white cedar, and re-forestation both natural and by planting of the spruce-fir type at the high altitudes. In all of this, of course, the experiment station force has consulted with the organizations interested in forestry in the region and has picked out the more urgent problems as the ones which ought to receive first attention. Whenever possible, cooperation has been arranged with such organizations. The Forest Service has also been able to give some attention in the matter of educating the public in forestry matters. Particularly through the preparation, in cooperation with the Forester of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, of a popular forest tree manual which will be of use in identifying and describing about 70 of the more common forest trees of the State. A publication of this kind is very badly needed. BIENNIAL EEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST 31 Cooperation with Forestry Associations The Survey has cooperated with the North Carolina Forestry Asso-ciation in holding a State Forestry Convention at Wilmington, January 27, 1922. The Survey has also cooperated with the Southern Forestry Congress in forestry conventions held at Tallahassee, Florida, in April, 1921 ; Atlanta, Georgia, in July, 1921; and at Jackson, Mississippi, in Feb-ruary, 1922. The Director is chairman of the executive committee of the Congress. At each convention representatives of the State Survey appeared before the legislatures of the several states to give information and answer questions in regard to State forestry legislation. It is believed that such cooperative work of the Survey with these forestry associations is of inestimable value to the general forestry work in the State, as it enables the Survey to keep in direct touch with forestry problems that are coming up in other states and in the Nation, the solving of which gives information that is beneficial in working out similar problems in this State. Forests and Lumbermen The following statement, taken from the January 28, 1922, issue of the Southern Lumberman, quotes largely from one of the forestry circulars of the Survey, and is in accord with the principles recognized by the Survey and which it is trying to put into practice in its re-lation to lumbermen and users of timber : It is so seldom that a kind word is said for the lumbermen in publi-cations and treaties concerning forestry, we can not refrain from calling particular attention to a recent circular issued by the Forestry Division of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey entitled "The Forest Problem in North Carolina." This circular, after a few preliminary sentences regarding the diminution of the forest supply by exploitation and destruction by fire, has this to say, under the subheading of "Forests and Lumbermen": "Much blame for our deforested condition is thrown at our lumbermen. It is no purpose of this discussion to hold any brief for any mistakes of the lumberman. It is rather an attempt to point out the true underlying cause of ruthless forest exploitation, placing the blame where it honestly belongs, to the end that we may find an adequate solution of the very serious problem of forest restoration that confronts us. Lumbermen did not create the enormous demand for their wares. This demand originated in the God-given impulse within mankind for progress and development. "The lumbermen have been the instrument through which the demand has been supplied. They have been the experts in the conversion of trees into lumber shapes for building the homes which fill our land and make it bloom; for the construction of railroads and bridges, ships and piers 32 BIENNIAL EEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST to transport all necessary supplies, and to distribute to their various markets the produce of farm and factory. The lumbermen supplied the raw materials for manufacturing furniture, farm implements, vehicles, boxes, crates, paper pulp, musical instruments, toys, and all other articles made from wood. They have built their rail and tram roads, their flumes and sled roads into the wild and inaccessible places from our loftiest mountain tops to the lowest swamps. They have bridged the canyons and hurled steel cables from tail to spar and made the huge logs yield to irresistible force. By the application of powerful and wonderfully designed machinery they have gathered the raw products of the forest, converted them into usable shapes, and distributed them to our local markets for further fabrication. Their spirit of adventure, courage, hardihood, hazardous risks for large capital, able management and skill have never been exceeded in any line of endeavor by any race of men. The countries of the world have sent their agents to them for instruction in the harvesting of forest crops. He has succeeded most in the lumber industry who has been able to supply best and at lowest cost what the consuming public has demanded. Keen competition and hazardous risks of large investments have threatened him with financial ruin, and many there have been who failed. Mere self-preservation has been the restraining force keeping the woods operator from conducting selection cuttings, from leaving seed trees, from providing adequate protection against forest fires and from carrying on all other methods advocated for the public interest and for future generations. Such measures necessitate scattered logging over extensive areas and could have been adopted only at increased costs all along the line. One operator could not incur such expenses unless all operators would do the same. One operator could not increase the price of, his product in order to cover such increased costs unless his competitor would do likewise. Every purchaser of lumber has sought the cheapest market. What purchaser ever stopped to inquire as to whether the price he was about to pay for his lumber would justify the manufacturer in taking steps to ensure a new crop of trees on the cut-over area? If the operators made any attempt to unite for the purpose of increasing their selling price they re-ceived a quick call from the guardians of the Sherman anti-trust law. That they were between an upper and nether millstone in this matter is perfectly clear. The point which should be appreciated is that the cost of growing timber as a crop has never been included as a factor in determining the selling price of lumber. To what extent the cost of growing timber should govern the cost of lumber in the future is a mooted question. But that we must have future forests, and that we all must pay in some way or other for the growing of them, is beyond dispute." It is unfortunate that all of those who write of the forestry problem do not approach the subject in such a spirit of sanity and understanding. It is admitted that the preservation of the forest resources of the country is a duty to the public, but the fact should not be overlooked that the owners and users of the timber have some rights in the matter. Never will the forestry problem be settled—at least settled properly—until this funda-mental principle is recognized, and it is distinctly encouraging to see it so generously recognized by the forestry officials of one of the South's leading timber-growing states. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 33 Forest Nursery There is great need for a forest nursery in this State which can supply desirable material for planting at reasonable cost: (a) For ornamental and shade trees along our State-wide system of highways. (b) For planting on school grounds for purposes of shade, ornament and demonstration. (c) For farm planting on waste or eroded and abandoned lands for the production of fence posts and other farm timbers. (d) For the planting up of more extended areas of cut-over and devastated private lands for the production of timber. (e) For planting by the State institutions on State land and by municipalities on their public land for improvement of the property and protection of watersheds. There has already been considerable inquiry for planting stock for these purposes. Our best native pines, with the exception of the white pine, cannot be purchased anywhere, so far as the Survey is aware, in quantities and at a rate to justify planting for timber production, and these are the species that are recommended for most situations. Again, to give best results, trees should be grown in the same climate in which they are to be planted. And, again, larger trees for highway planting are usually very expensive at commercial nurseries—when they can be secured at all. The State nursery should provide them at cost or free of cost to the State Highway Commission, which should be authorized and instructed to plant, reserve and protect roadside trees. A reference to what some other states are doing along this line may be of interest. Pennsylvania, in 1920, had six nurseries producing more than five million trees a year at a cost varying from 50c to $4.00 per thousand. "Forest trees are distributed free of charge in lots of 100 or more, for planting in Pennsylvania, the applicant to pay the cost of packing and transportation. Shade and ornamental trees will be given free of charge for planting by municipalities, State institutions and public schools, the applicant to pay the cost of packing and transportation." Michigan State Forest Nurseries sell nursery stock to private parties for forest planting within the State at a price varying from $1.50 to $7.00 per M. to cover cost of production, packing and delivery to 3 34 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST railroad station. Fifty per cent more is charged to parties outside the State. The New York Conservation Commission has six forest nurseries with 115 acres available for producing trees in 1921. In that year they distributed more than 3 million trees to private landowners, muni-cipalities and State institutions, and planted a large number on their own State Forests. At the end of the year they still had nearly 22 million trees on hand. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation has several nurseries, which turned out in 1920 more than two and a quarter million trees. These were distributed for private planting, to State institutions, State Forests and to towns and cities. The latter were furnished trees free of cost for planting on watersheds. The Maryland State Board of Forestry has a small nursery on the lands of the State University, and the State Forester in his last report strongly recommends its considerable enlargement to provide especially for growing large trees for highway planting. His argument is so appli-cable to North Carolina conditions that it is given here: It has been found in every state where forestry has made progress, that in order to encourage the planting of waste lands and lands more suitable for forest growth than for other purposes, it is necessary for the State to produce stock suitable for planting at the lowest possible cost, and to render every reasonable assistance to encourage such planting. A few years ago, when the Roadside Tree Law was enacted, providing for the planting of trees along the highways, there developed a demand for large-sized trees suitable for the purpose. The forest nursery has en-deavored to meet this demand in a limited way, by devoting a considerable part of the space to the growing of large-sized trees. This large-sized stock is sold only to those who will plant it along the public highway. Such trees are frequently planted on private property fronting the road. Since there is only a limited appropriation for the maintenance of the nursery, forest and roadside tree planting stock cannot be furnished free, but is distributed at the actual cost of growing it. Only trees are grown that are of proven value for forest or roadside planting. The public in-terest in the planting of trees along the highways to beautify them, and make travel more comfortable and attractive, has increased tremendously in the last few years. It is strongly recommended and requested that the Survey be given sufficient appropriation and the necessary authority: 1. To purchase sufficient land suitable for a forest nursery within convenient distance of the Survey headquarters. BIENNIAL KEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST 35 2. To erect a toolhouse and storehouse on the property, buy nec-essary tools and seeds and employ the necessary labor to start a small forest nursery. After the first few years the nursery should be self-supporting except for supervision and for the stock used by the Survey in planting State forests and parks and by other State departments. Forestry Legislation North Carolina has a very good forest-fire law, and if it was enforced to the extent that it should be it would very materially lessen the num-ber of forest fires and bring the people to a realization of the need of the protection of the State's forests from fire and the need of the co-operation of the people in preventing these fires from starting. In order to bring this question more directly to the attention of the people of the State, the judges of the several Superior Court dis-tricts were requested by the Survey to mention in their charges to the juries the forest-fire laws, the need of the protection of the forests from fire, and the value of the forests to the people of the State. It is believed that, when the people once realize the need of these measures and the enforcement of the law, there will be need of but very few prosecutions. The first thing necessary is for the people to realize and know that there are laws relating to forest fires, and that these laws are to be enforced; and our people will, it is firmly believed, comply with the law. It is also believed that, in the interest of the prevention of forest fires, legislation should be passed relating to the elimination of special fire hazards, and which would empower the Geological Board to declare certain things, such as uncleaned railroad right of ways and large ac-cumulations of brush and slash adjoining municipal or other public lands, to be special fire hazards and that the Board could require those responsible for such conditions to clean them up so that they would not be a menace to neighboring property. Similar regulations are now being applied by the Insurance Department to special fire hazards in connection with buildings. 36 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST STATE FOREST AND PARKS DIVISION By JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, Director Mount Mitchell State Park The General Assembly of 1921 passed a bill placing the Mount Mitch-ell State Park under the jurisdiction of the Geological Board (Public Laws of 1921, Chapter 222), and authorizing the Board to exercise and perform all the rights, powers, duties and obligations that had been theretofore exercised and performed by the Mount Mitchell Park Commission and the Mitchell Peak Park Commission. The Board was further authorized and empowered to charge and collect fees for the use of such improvements as have already been constructed or may hereafter be constructed on the Park and for other privileges con-nected with the full use of the Park by the public; to lease sites for camps, houses, hotels, etc. ; and to make and enforce such necessary rules and regulations as may best tend to protect, preserve, and increase the value and attractiveness of the Park. It is believed that if a nominal charge was made for all visitors entering the State Park sufficient funds could readily be obtained for paying all costs connected with the administration and protection of the Park. This, however, does not seem to be a just thing to do; and it seems that it would be a much better policy for the State to throw the Park open to the public, under certain regulations, and provide funds out of the general treasury for its upkeep and protection. That the Park is appreciated by the public is shown from the number of visitors that each year ascend Mount Mitchell. Before the con-struction of the highway to Camp Alice, which is about a mile from the summit of Mount Mitchell, there were approximately a thousand visitors per year to the Park. With the completion of the highway to Camp Alice in June, 1922, there were over twenty thousand visited the Park during the months of July, August and September. This large number of visitors very naturally increases the cost of the maintenance of the Park; and while, as stated above, a small fee of twenty-five cents from each one would have raised sufficient funds to have paid all costs in connection with the maintenance of the Park, it did not seem that the Board was justified in making this charge. Another year there will be two or three times as many visitors to the Park as during the past year. These people come from all sections of the country. In the table below there is given the number of people by State and foreign countries who registered at Mount Mitchell State Park during the years 1921 and 1922. These lists, of course, only represent a portion of the people who visited the Park, but they do indicate from where they come. BIENNIAL KEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST 37 VISITORS REGISTERED AT MOUNT MITCHELL PARK DURING SUMMERS OF 1921 AND 1922 State 1921 1922* 50 75 1 11 5 1 2 55 73 3 3 1 4 160 204 16 7 30 10 9 88 3 5 4 4 35 1 9 6 81 14 1 1 6 7 2 8 545 6 2 20 1 88 1 55 6 40 3 4 3 10 26 1,465 Ohio 16 2 16 338 130 16 77 3 24 Foreign Countries 1 1 Cuba 2 4 1 1 1 1 2 •Through September 5, 1922. 38 BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST The automobile highway which was constructed from Black Mountain to Camp Alice, which is about one mile by trail below the summit of Mount Mitchell, and opened to the public in June, 1922, is a one-way toll road. It is believed that with the large number of automobiles that will travel this road from year to year it will very soon become necessary for a two-way road, either as a circular road or widening the present road, to be built. The State, under the Highway Commis-sion Act passed by the General Assembly of 1921, has authority to construct roads from State highways to connect same with State parks. It is believed it will pay the State to arrange through its Highway Com-mission to construct a road from Mount Mitchell Park to Asheville along the route of the crest of the Blue Ridge Highway, via Stepps Gap, Balsam Gap, Craggy Mountain and Bulls Gap. Such a road would be equal in its scenic attractions to the celebrated Columbia River Road of the State of Oregon which is so thoroughly advertised, and would be traveled each year by tens of thousands of automobiles and teams. Reproduction of Balsam.—The reproduction of balsam on the State Park is extremely satisfactory. The State Park has been examined several times by the Forester and members of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station at Asheville, and a study made of reproduction and the method of protection from forest fires that is in vogue on the Park. Dense reproduction of balsam under the forest cover was ob-served. Counts of twenty plots of one foot square showed an average of sixteen seedlings to the square foot, equal to nearly three-quarters of a million seedlings to the acre. Seedlings from three to six years old were found on several of the areas that had formerly been burned over, before the tract was acquired by the State. On areas cut over, but from which the fires had been kept out completely, many young trees from one to three feet in height were observed. This reproduction on the State Park indicates what can and should be obtained on the forests throughout the mountain region, if they are protected from fire. Height of Mount Mitchell.—For some time certain scientists and mountain climbers have been claiming that Mount LeConte was higher than Mount Mitchell. Recently the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey sent one of its experts, Clem L. Garner, to measure Mount LeConte, the height of Mount Mitchell already having been definitely determined as being 6,711 feet. Mr. Garner measured LeConte up and down and around, and has reported to the Survey that it is only 6,580 feet, giving the ISTorth Carolina mountain the honor of being the higher by 131 feet. The result of the measurement has been officially conveyed to BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 39 the Survey by the Director of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in the following letter : U. S. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY Washington, July 6, 1922. Col. Joseph Hyde Pratt, State Geologist, Chapel Hill, N. C. My dear Colonel Pratt:—In response to your inquiry of the 5th instant, I take pleasure in informing you that the recent trigonometric leveling to determine the elevation of Mount LeConte, Tennessee, shows that the brass tablet on the middle peak is 6,547 feet above mean sea level and the elevation of the earth on the east peak is 6,580 feet above mean sea level. These re-sults may be in error by plus five feet. This office will be glad to be of further service to you at any time. Yours very truly, (Signed) E. Lester Jones, Director. Grandfather Mountain Park The Grandfather Mountain area, comprising something over a thou-sand acres, was at one time offered to the State by the McRaes of Wilmington for a State park, but at that time the State was not in a position to accept, maintain or protect such a park. It is now a question as to whether this area shall be turned over to the United States Government to become a national monument or park, or whether it shall become a State park. Grandfather Mountain is a unique mountain and should be retained for the use of the public, and par-ticularly the people of North Carolina. It is recommended that the General Assembly take such action as may be deemed wise in the interest of securing for the people of North Carolina the Grandfather Mountain area to become the Grandfather Mountain State Park. Linville Gorge Park Another area that should become a State park is the Linville Gorge area which stands out unique as a natural attraction and should forever be preserved in its wild and natural beauty for the people of the State. There is quoted below a recent letter from Dr. H. F. Moore, Deputy Commissioner of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, in regard to Linville Gorge. 40 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Fisheries Washington, December 5, 1922. Col. Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director, Geological and Economic Survey, Chapel Hill, N. C. My dear Colonel Pratt:—As you know, I have long been acquainted, in my official capacity, with Eastern North Carolina and, recently, I have added to my pleasant associations with the State the experiences of two vacations at Linville Falls. I have been deeply impressed by the great value of the asset which North Carolina possesses in Linville Gorge, and am concerned that its wonderful natural beauty should be preserved unimpaired for the en-joyment not only of the people of the State, but of the ever-increasing host of tourists who are seeking health and recreation afield. I believe that Linville Gorge is unique in the eastern part of the country, and that it would be a matter of more than State-wide concern should its wild and rugged beauty be destroyed. Its scenic value lies not only in the deep sculpturing of the gorge, the waterfalls and rapids, but also in the forestation of its limiting mountain slopes and ridges. The foliage in 1921 was not excelled by anything that I have ever seen elsewhere. It is an asset to the State on which no pecuniary valuation can be placed. It is now wild and unspoiled throughout its length, and steps should be taken to keep it so. Once spoiled, it cannot be restored. It should be protected from fire, from spoliation by unscientific and reckless lumbering operations, and from unnecessary diversion of its waters. The State is now spending many millions of dollars on its road sys-tem. One way of earning a dividend on this large investment is to attract tourists who will not merely pass through the State and wear out its roads, but who will tarry and spend their money or invest permanently in taxable property, and who will find health and pleasure to serve as an incentive to come again. All New England profits greatly from its summer vacationists, and in Maine, in particular, the service of the summer visitor and the sports-man attracted by hunting, fishing, and life in the open, enriches the State by millions of dollars annually. Our great national parks are visited each year by hosts of people, many of whom come from the east. There are many more who would visit these parks, but who cannot afford the time and money for distant travel. North Carolina gets some of these, but if she will advertise the recreational resources of her mountains, the wonderful scenery, the fishing, hunting, and the possibilities for healthful life in the open, she can at-tract many more. If its attractions were made more generally known, Linville Gorge would bring many visitors to the State, but this influx of travel would bring its own perils, as the hazard of fire would be increased from the acts of the normal proportion of reckless and careless persons to be found in any group. It is not necessary nor advisable to make so-called "improvements," which would possibly merely .spoil what nature has done so well, but the gorge BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 41 and its environs should be under competent supervision and have ade-quate protection that its beauty may be preserved for the enjoyment of generations to come. Cannot the State do this? In a few years it may be too late. Sincerely yours, (Signed) H. F. Moore, Deputy Commissioner. Linville Gorge lies within the limits of the Boone Purchase Area, within which lands are being acquired for national forest purposes by the United States Government through the United States Forest Service, and has already had negotiations with the owners of the prop-erty which includes the gorge. While the gorge might become part of a national forest, it is still believed that this unique area should be owned and controlled by the State. State Forests There is need, and it is believed the time is now opportune, for the State to begin the purchase of cut-over timber lands and hold and conserve same as State forests. It is firmly believed that this can be done very economically and profitably to the State. Such cut-over lands suitable for this purpose and which should not be considered at the present time, and perhaps for the next hundred years or. more, as agricultural lands, can be purchased at from $2 to $5 per acre. Such areas can be purchased that are well stocked with second growth or contain sufficient quantity and quality of seed trees that will ensure reproduction. These areas can be effectively protected from fire at a reasonable cost, and the State can be ensured of a marketable growth of timber at the end of a definite period of years. Three hundred thousand acres of cut-over lands, which is a less area than the Federal Government now owns in this State, should not cost over $1,500,000. The State should issue fifty-year bonds to pay for this land. The interest charge on this amount for the fifty years at five per cent would be $3,750,000. The cost of maintenance of the 300,000 acres and its protection from fire would be approximately three cents per acre per year, or $9,000 per year for the entire area. For the fifty years this would make the maintenance charge $450,000. The total cost at the end of the fifty-year period for the 300,000 acres of State forests would be as follows: Bond issue to pay for land $1,500,000 Fifty-year interest charge 3,750,000 Fifty-year maintenance charge 450,000 Total $5,700,000 42 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST At the end of the fifty-year period there should be marketable tim-ber on this land of from 8,000 to 15,000 feet per acre. At a low estimated value of $5 per thousand on the stump for the timber this would make the timber value per acre, estimating the lowest amount of 8,000 feet per acre, of $40 per acre. At 15,000 feet, it would be $75 per acre; and for the 300,000 acres the value of the timber would be from $12,000,000 to $22,000,000. The total cost as indicated above would be $5,700,000, leaving a net profit to the State of from $6,300,000 to $16,800,000. It is believed that this is an economic problem that should be given serious consideration by the General Assembly. There are something like 20,000,000 acres of forest lands in the State, a large proportion of which will be and should be maintained in forests for several generations to come; and the State could well plan to buy in several million acres of these lands as cut-over lands and maintain them as State forests. If a satisfactory arrangement in regard to taxing growing timber can be worked out, there are undoubtedly many individuals and cor-porations who would at once begin the reproduction and cultivation of forests. WATER RESOURCES DIVISION THORNDIKE SAVILLE, Hydraulic Engineer Water-Power Conference During the past ten years the attention of the people has been turned almost constantly to the water-power resources of the State. More inquiries have been received at the Survey office for information regarding magnitude, extent and location of water powers than in any other equal period. Questions of riparian rights, location of dam sites, silting of storage reservoirs, evaporation record, etc., are con-stantly being asked, which shows that the value and need of such information when considering the development of any water power is be-ginning to be realized. The Survey is cooperating with all agencies possible to collect and give out this information. The discussion of water powers in the daily press and magazines and the inquiries re-ceived in correspondence indicated that the present was an opportune time for calling a conference to consider the water-power situation in the State and in the whole Southern Appalachian region. After considerable correspondence between the several State Geologists, it was decided to call such a conference and to hold it at Asheville, June 20-22, 1922. BIENNIAL EEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST 43 The following extract from one of the State papers gives a good idea of the conference : INDUSTRIES REPRESENTED Permanent Organization Formed at Meeting in Asheyit.t.e The gathering of the South's most eminent hydraulic engineers and other representatives of the great hydro-electric industry in the South, which was held at the Battery Park Hotel, Asheville, June 20-22, came to an end with the formation of a permanent body to be known as the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference. Of this body, Col. Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, is President; the Vice-President is Lincoln Green, First Vice-President of the Southern Railway; Professor J. A. Switzer of the University of Tennessee was elected Secretary, and Thorndike Saville, Chief of the Division of Water Resources of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, was made Treasurer. The meetings of the conference at Battery Park were unusually well attended and the papers presented were of great value, many of them describing new methods in water resources studies. The U. S. Government had a representative present from nearly every Federal Department, in-cluding N. C. Grover, Chief Hydraulic Engineer of the U. S. Geological Sur-vey; O. C. Merrill, Executive Secretary of the Federal" Power Commission; C. H. Birdseye, Chief Topographer of the U. S. Geological Survey; C. V. Hodgson of the Coast and Geodetic Survey; T. W. Norcross, Chief Engineer of the U. S. Forest Service; Colonel H. B. Ferguson, Assistant Secretary of War; Warren E. Hall, District Engineer of the U. S. Geological Survey; and others. The important industries of the South were also well represented by such men as Lincoln Green, First Vice-President of the Southern Railway; 0. G. Thurlow, Chief Engineer of the Alabama Power Company; W. S. Lee, Chief Engineer of the Southern Power Company; P. A. Tillery, General Manager of the Carolina Power and Light Company; B. R. Chestney, Chief Engineer of the Central Georgia Power Company; H. L. Wills, Operating Manager of the Georgia Railway and Power Company; T. C. Williams, Vice-President of the Columbia Railway and Navigation Company; Major Harold C. Fiske, District Engineer of the Norfolk and Western Railroad; and others. The conference was generally regarded as the most important affair of its kind ever held in the United States, and was taken as inaugurating an era of cooperation between the hydro-electric utilities, the Federal and State commissions, and promoters of water-power development. It is expected that as the work of the conference gets under way it will mean much for the development of water power in the South Atlantic states. A number of important committees were appointed, which are to sub-mit reports at the next meeting of the conference. It is expected that the work of these committees will be of great value. One, on Energy Supply, will consider the location of undeveloped water powers in the Southern Appalachian states, the order of development, the location of auxiliary steam plants, the making of water-power surveys, the taking 44 BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST of stream-flow measurements, the problem of silting, etc. Another will treat of interconnection of the various power developments; and a third will consider proper Federal and State legislation to aid in water-power develop-ments and to regulate such developments in the interest of the public for maximum proper encouragement to hydro-electric enterprises. Water Powers The demand for water powers in North Carolina is considerably in excess of the developed supply. Many progressive municipalities are becoming seriously concerned at the power shortage and are seeing industries locating elsewhere and the growth of their own cities re-tarded by lack of power. For this reason some of our municipalities are contemplating municipal development of water-power sites. Many of our large cities are well situated for this purpose, being near un-developed sites. Today the initial expenditure for construction of large dams, power houses and transmission lines is so great and the return on the investment is often so small that it is not attractive to private capital; but municipalities can afford to spend large sums in such developments at a small rate of interest on the investment, since the difference between what their plant may earn and what stockholders in a private corporation would demand is the benefit accruing to the municipality through the possession of power which it can offer to industrial plants, the location of which within the municipality adds largely to its revenue. While such a return is intangible, it is yet very real and a benefit to every element in the city. There are many water-power sites capable of developing from 500 to 2,500 horsepower and so located in regard to railroads that a factory built near the railroad and developing one of these water powers and building five miles of transmission line can become independent so far as power is concerned. Interconnection.—One of the questions that comes up in regard to the utilization of water power and its maximum efficiency is in regard to interconnection of the smaller and large water powers. While there has been some investigation made in regard to the utilization of the southern water powers, not much thought has thus far been given to definite interconnection of the various power developments into a larger system. It is very interesting to note that this question was answered to some extent by an occurrence during the summer of 1921 when the Carolina Power Company of Raleigh, North Carolina, was short of power on account of the unprecedented low water at that time, and could not get sufficient water to enable it to run its auxiliary steam plant. Raleigh at that time was on a part-time water supply. The Carolina Power Company applied to the Southern Power Company for power, but this latter company had no excess power. It in turn took BIENNIAL BEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 45 up the question of supply with the Georgia Power Company, but this company was also without any surplus power, and took up the question with the Alabama Power Company. This company operated its steam plant at night and supplied the Georgia Power Company with the needed power; it in turn supplied the Southern Power Com-pany, which in turn supplied the Carolina Power Company, and thus enabled this latter company to serve its customers. This is an example of interconnection and utilization of power which as it is developed will make the hydro-electric development nearly 100 per cent efficient. It is believed that many of our smaller water powers in various areas of the Southern Appalachian states can be interconnected into a larger system and thus become more and more efficient. While it does not seem necessary at the present time to consider a super-power zone similar to what has been worked out between Washington and Boston, yet the time is at hand when it is considered necessary that more consideration should be given to interconnecting systems of power lines through Southern Appalachian region. Information needed when considering water-power development.— When considering the development of any water power a great deal of information is needed before an engineer can determine the value of the water power or what it can produce, such as data relating to stream flow, rainfall within the river basin, evaporation records, maps (such as topographic maps, geological maps) and information regarding the rocks, forested areas of the river basins, etc. Such information cannot be collected by the individual, nor always by a state, and as its value is of interest to an adjoining state its collection becomes possible only through Federal cooperation. At the present time there are many Federal and state agencies collecting data and informa-tion of value to those interested in water-power devlopment, such as : Interior Department U. S. Geological Survey Water Resources Division Topographic Division Agricultural Department U. S. Forest Service Weather Bureau Department of Commerce Coast and Geodetic Survey War Department Corps of Engineers Air Service ^Federal Power Commission 46 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST Geological, economic and natural history surveys Forestry departments Conservation commissions Water-power commissions Corporation and public-service commissions Municipalities STATE ! Public utility and water-power corporations Railway companies Industrial corporations with water power developments In order to make the information collected by these various agencies the most efficient and available there should be the closest cooperation between all of them in regard to making their information available to the others and to prevent duplication of work. There are many problems in which water-power companies are extremely interested, the investigation of which they are carrying on to some extent, but which it is believed that if there was a close cooperation between the water-power companies and the various state and Federal agencies these problems could be more quickly and satisfactorily solved. It is believed that as a result of the water-power conference referred to above and of the resultant permanent organization there will be a much closer cooperation between the various interests in water powers, in making available information regarding their developments, data on stream flow, etc. District Engineer Office The work of this Division is done very largely in close cooperation with the "Water Resources Branch of the U. S. Geological Survey, and as North Carolina was cooperating in a much larger measure than any of the other South Atlantic states, the U. S. Geological Survey's dis-trict office was moved from Atlanta, Georgia, to Asheville, North Carolina, and while a sub-office was retained by the Survey in Atlanta, practically all the work for the South Atlantic states has been done from the Asheville office. This office is in charge of Major "Warren E. Hall of the U. S. Geological Survey. ' About ninety-five per cent of all stream-gauging and stream-flow measurement that has been done from this office has been on North Carolina streams, and this stream work represents to a considerable degree the chief work of the office. Before this office was moved to Asheville there were but fourteen gauging stations in operation, as follows : BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 47 Roanoke River at Old Gaston, N. C. Yadkin River near Salisbury, N. C. Yadkin River at Donnaha, N. C. French Broad River at Asheville, N. C. French Broad River at Dandridge, Tenn. Pigeon River at Newport, Tenn. Tuckaseigee River at Bryson, N. C. Little Tennessee River at Judson, N. C. Little Tennessee River at McGhee, Tenn. Nantahala River at Wesser, N. C. Hiwassee River at Murphy, N. C. Hiwassee River at Reliance, Tenn. Valley River at Tomotla, N. C. Nottely River near Ranger, N. C. All of these stations have been maintained except Nantahala River at Wesser, N. C, which has been removed to Almond, N. C, on the same river, during 1921. After thorough investigation of available sites the following gauging stations have been installed and put in operation : Roanoke River at Buggs Island, Va. (Just above N. C. line.) • Dan River near Pinnacles, Va. (Near Brim, N. C.) Deep River at Ramseur, N. C. Yadkin River at High Rock, N. C. (Tallassee Power Co.) Yadkin River at North Wilkesboro, N. C. Fisher River near Dobson, N. C. Ararat River near Pilot Mountain, N. C. Wilson Creek near Adako, N. C. French Broad River at Blantyre, N. C. French Broad River at Redmond, N. C. French Broad River near Newport, Tenn. (Just over N. C. line.) Davidsons River near Brevard, N. C. Swannanoa River at Biltmore, N. C. Pigeon River near Crabtree, N. C. Tuckaseigee River near East Laport, N. C. Scotts Creek at Sylva, N. C. Oconalufty River at Cherokee, N. C. Little Tennessee River at Franklin, N. C. Cullasaja River at Cullasaja, N. C. Nantahala River at Almond, N. C. Hiwassee River near Hayesville, N. C. Shooting Creek near Hayesville, N. C. "Watauga River near Elizabethton, Tenn. (Near N. C. line.) North Toe River at Spruce Pine, N. C. From the above it will be seen that 37 gauging stations, either on North Carolina streams or on streams just entering or just leaving the State, have been in operation during the past two years. It has be^n possible to operate this number only by having the hearty coopera- 48 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST tion of the Tennessee District and of private parties operating under orders of the Federal Power Commission. Of the total number of stations put in operation it has since been found advisable to discontinue the following: Ararat River near Pilot Mountain, N. C. (Gauge, flooded by backwater from dam being constructed downstream.) Wilson Creek near Adako, N. C. (Federal Power Commission project abandoned.) Scotts Creek at Sylva, N. C. (Section found to be poor.) Nantahala River at Wesser, N. C. (Abandoned in favor of a better section at Almond.) Dan River near Pinnacles, Va. (Private cooperative funds discontinued.) This leaves 32 stations in active operation and another station is to be installed on Morgan's Creek near Chapel Hill, which will make a total of 33. Within a short time it is expected to again begin using the old station on the Cape Fear River at Fayetteville, N". C. At present automatic gauges are in operation at Buggs Island, Va., Old Gaston, 1ST. C, Ramseur, 1ST. C, and High Rock, 1ST. C. Automatic gauges are shortly to be installed at Chapel Hill, Asheville and Redmond, K C. Besides the work of establishing and maintaining the gauging stations mentioned above, which entailed a great amount of field work, the office has constantly been engaged on computation, compiling and furnishing advance data to parties interested in water powers within the State. As an illustration of the value of stream gauging to a state, the following extract of a letter from the Chief Hydraulic Engineer of the Aluminum Company of America is self-explanatory : It will be quite agreeable to us and I believe it will be advisable for you to state that had it not been for the stream-flow records that have been taken by the Government on the Little Tennessee River and its tributaries since 1898, it is doubtful if our; company would have undertaken this preten-tious development. It would seem to me that in making this statement you will have an opportunity to bring out forcibly the beneficial results that have accrued in this particular case, and use this as an argument for securing larger Government appropriations for studying the stream flow of the rivers throughout the country. I believe the Engineer Department at large appreciates this, but unfortunately we cannot make our Congressmen and Senators view the matter in the proper light. Reconnaissance Trips During the summer of 1921 Major "Warren E. Hall of the TJ. S. Geological Survey and Mr. Thorndike Saville of the State Survey made a detailed reconnaissance of possible water-power sites on the BIEXNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 49 following streams : Hiwassee, Valley, Tuekaseigee, Scotts Creek, Ocona-lufty, Nantahala, Little Tennessee, French Broad, Upper Catawba, Swannanoa, Linville, North Cove Creek, North and South Toe, Cane, North and South Forks of New River, Upper Yadkin, Elk Creek, Reddies, Roaring, Mitchell, Fisher and Ararat. Copious notes and photographs were taken along all of these streams, and as a result of the investigation the State Geological and Economic Survey has data in hand regarding the best available sites for power development, the approximate amounts of power which can be developed by dams of different heights and the storage possibilities on the various streams. During the summer of 1922 the same parties made a reconnaissance of the following streams : Haw, Deep, Cape Fear, New, Little, Neuse, Swift, Rocky Broad, and Linville rivers. As a result of these reconnaissances the State Survey is now in a much better position to discuss with counties the question of co-operation with the Survey in making a detailed investigation of their undeveloped powers, and are in a much better position to give more or less specific information to manufacturers, industrial interests and municipalities who make inquiry of the Survey as to location of desirable water-power sites. County Water-Power Surveys Surry and Wilkes Counties.—The reports on the water-power sur-vey of Surry and Wilkes counties has been printed and distributed. On account of the delay in getting this report printed and the many requests that were being received for it, several typewritten copies were made of all and portions of this report to satisfy these requests. As a result of this survey, several water powers have already been developed. Clay and Cherokee Counties.—During the summer of 1922 a field party was maintained in Clay and Cherokee counties for investigating the larger water-power resources of the Hiwassee River and its tribu-taries. This survey is attracting a great deal of attention, both locally and from prospective development interests. The result of the work of this party will be published as a report of the Survey. The water-power surveys made of these four counties have been in cooperation with the counties. Special Reports During the biennial period special reports on water powers, water supply, etc., have been made by this Division of the Survey, as follows : 4 50 BIENNIAL KEPORT STATE GEOLOGIST A detailed report lias been made to the industrial agent of the Seaboard Air Line Railway Company relating to the water powers on the Roanoke River near Weldon. A report has been made to the industrial agent of the Southern Railway Company relating to large undeveloped water-power sites in North Carolina. A detailed report has been made to the North Carolina Corpora-tion Commission regarding the water-power situation in North Caro-lina. A letter report was made to Mr. McN. Carr, of Rose Hill, Duplin County, relative to drainage investigations and designs. A special report was made to the President of the University of North Carolina on the development of a water power on Morgan's Creek, Orange County. A special report was made for Hill, Montague of the Roanoke Rapids Power Company on the possible water-power development on the Roanoke River. To the Industrial Development Service of the Southern Railway Company on Bean Shoals. To J. A. Ertle of Middletown, Ohio, on Bean Shoals. To Dr. P. J. Klutz of Hickory on a power site on the Catawba River near Hickory. To Albert Milmow of Charlotte on a proposed power development on the South Branch of the New River near Boone, North Carolina. To S. B. Staton of Tarboro on a sample of sand sent in to be analyzed by the Survey. (See next page.) To Professor Lancaster of State College, a description of the power re-sources of the State. To Burns & McDonnell, Consulting Engineers of Kansas City, a com-prehensive description of the location of developed and undeveloped water powers in North Carolina. To Professor J. A. Switzer, Tennessee Geological Survey, an extended interpretation of certain clauses in the Alabama Power act. At the request of the Board of Health of Wilmington a detailed report was rendered upon the underground and surface water supplies suitable for use by that city, and related to quantity, quality, and distribution. The report was said to have been the best of a number submitted in the past, and was instrumental in bringing about the use of the Northeast Branch of the Cape Fear as the new source of water supply, now under construction. Numerous special reports have been made from time to time dealing with the water-power developments. Requests for information have come from the Southern Railway, cotton manufacturers' associations, chambers of commerce, and others. BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 51 The profile map of the Deep River at Carbonton was re-run in May, on account of a possible discrepancy in our levels affecting certain power interests on the river. The original profile was within the allowable limit of error, and as a result of our report the parties at issue are about to compromise their differences. Stream-Flow Records A compilation of stream-flow records since 1907 has been prepared. There is being added to this report rainfall records and a certain number of duration curves of stream flow. This method of showing stream flow will be found very advantageous for the use of engineers, and has been used in the Survey's reports which give the results of the water-power surveys in the several counties. Weather Bureau Stations Chapel Hill.—In cooperation with the TJ. S. Weather Bureau an evaporation station was established by the Survey at Chapel Hill in March, 1921, and regular observations were begun April 1st. This station comprises standard United States "Weather Bureau equipment for measuring maximum and minimum temperatures, wind velocity, rainfall, and evaporation; and has been located in an enclosure west of the Peabody Building on the University campus. Mount Mitchell.—A station has been established on Mount Mitchell State Park in cooperation with the U. S. Weather Bureau and the Appalachian Experiment Station of the U. S. Forest Service. Sedimentation The silting up of storage reservoirs has become a serious problem in North Carolina, and it is believed that laboratory investigations could be and should be carried out to advantage, and the Survey is planning, in cooperation with the University, to consider the fol-lowing points : (1) The size of silt particles in suspension, determined by formula, and also by direct observation with ultra-microscope. (2) The velocity necessary to transport these particles and keep them in suspension. (3) The time necessary for these particles to settle at full storage in quiet "water. (4) The nitrogen value of the settled silt to be determined by the U. S. Bureau of Soils, with the idea that these silts may have some fertilizer value. (5) The effect of hydrogen on concentration of the water upon the rate of precipitation. 52 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST Operators of hydro-electric plants at North Wilkesboro are now making certain observations under the direction of Mr. Thorndike Saville, one of the hydraulic engineers of the Survey, to determine on a large scale some of the points noted above. "We have been re-quested by the State Board of Health to make these determinations on account of the importance of information relating to the degree of sediment in streams used for water supply purposes. The turbidity is of equal importance on account of the effect on rate of silting of storage reservoirs used in water supply and water-power projects. Municipal Water Supplies The Survey is frequently called upon for advice and suggestions regarding water supplies for municipalities and manufacturing plants, and as a result of its investigations regarding the underground water resources of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions and of the drain-age areas and flow of our various rivers and streams, it is continually in a better position to give such advice and suggestion. Water supply investigations and reports have been made for the towns of Carthage, High Point, Wilmington and Hickory. Such studies relate solely to adequacy of stream flow, and do not overlap but supplement the domain of the private consulting engineer. Cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey The moving of the District Engineer's office of the Water Resources Branch of the U. S. Geological Survey was the beginning of a much closer cooperation between the State and Federal Surveys in investi-gating the water resources of this State. There is maintained at the Asheville office the District Engineer, Major Warren E. Hall; Field Engineer, Mr. L. J. Hall; and Clerk, Mrs. Effie T. Workman. The expenses of this office, which are approximately ten thousand dollars per year, are maintained jointly on a fifty-fifty basis by the two Surveys. The efficiency of this office will be very much increased by the employment of an office engineer, and it is expected that, beginning with the next biennial period, this can be done. Map Exhibits Map exhibits have been prepared showing the location of electric generating stations and high voltage transmission systems in the State. Copies of this exhibit have been requested by the Corporation Commission, by the U. S. Geological Survey at Asheville, and by the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference. The latter or-ganization has requested the Survey to prepare a similar map for the BIENNIAL REPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 53 entire Southern Appalachian region and has appropriated money for this purpose. Utility of Work of Water Resources Division 1.—Stream-Flow Measurements and Publication of Data.—The value of this information to those contemplating water-power developments is very great, and the Survey is constantly receiving requests from engineering firms and power companies for data on stream flow. Ac-curate information as to amount of water available at power sites on streams is absolutely necessary before developments can be made. The longer such data is available the more valuable it becomes. One of the largest companies generating power in this State has asserted that its development would not have been made had not the stream-flow data for several years been available. More gauging stations are needed that information on stream flow may be furnished those con-templating making water-power developments in the State. 2.—'Water-Power Surveys.—There has been a very large demand for copies of the reports on Surry and Wilkes counties from all over the country. The Industrial Development Departments of the South-ern, Seaboard Air Line, and Atlantic Coast Line railroads are constantly sending for reports of this character and placing them di-rectly in the hands of industries which contemplate locating in North Carolina and wish information on undeveloped power sites. Within the State numerous firms make use of the information in these reports, and even before they are issued many requests are filed for advance sheets dealing with specific sites. Interest in the undeveloped water powers of the State is widespread, and the Survey is unable to answer many queries sent it, as the county surveys can be made only as funds are available. Thus far the Survey has been able to do this important work only because the counties themselves have contributed one-half the cost. This means, of course, that some of the more important un-developed water powers of the State are not fully investigated be-cause the counties in which they are situated do not desire to pay for one-half the cost of an investigation and the Survey has not funds sufficient to make independent studies. 3. Statistical Compilations.—The Survey is the only State body issuing authoritative information on developed and undeveloped water power; the output of electric generating stations; the power situation in the State; the economic aspects of hydro-electric development in the State, etc. Such data are eagerly sought by all trade papers and by business and professional interests. They serve to accurately de-pict important elements in the State's industrial progress, and indi- 54 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST cate certain phases of its economic position as compared with other states. k- Special Investigations.—It is of considerable value to the State to have an organization equipped to make investigations and reports upon special technical and engineering matters. Such diverse sub-jects as water-power development, river and harbor improvement, fisheries improvement, water supply, port development, and under-ground waters have all received the attention of the Division during the past two years and been made the object of special study. As the enterprises of the State expand and become more varied, recourse must be had in increasing measure to some qualified engineering authority of the State. Within the fields covered by its activities the Water Resources Division of the State Geological and Economic Survey stands ready to render such service on an impartial and un-biased basis. DRAINAGE AND RECLAMATION DIVISION By JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, Director In addition to the drainage and reclamation of swamp and over-flowed lands of North Carolina, the work of this Division includes the reclamation and economic utilization of cut-over timber lands. Drainage of Swamp Lands The drainage of swamp lands is confined largely to the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina, and since the passage of the "North Carolina Drainage Law" there has been approximately 600,000 acres of land reclaimed. Where formerly these lands were estimated to be worth from 25c to $2 per acre, they are now worth from $50 to $100 or more per acre, and represent a net increase of nearly $30,000,- 000 to -the assets of the State. During the past two years four addi-tional drainage districts have been started in Eastern North Carolina. When completed, these will add about 50,000 acres to the reclaimed land of that part of the State. OTerflowed Lands The reclamation of overflowed lands in the Piedmont section of North Carolina has been as successfully carried on as the drainage of the swamp lands in Eastern North Carolina, the North Carolina Drainage Law being as applicable in the reclamation of the former lands as in the latter. BIENNIAL REPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST 55 During the past two years four new districts have been started in the Piedmont area. The reclamation of these overflowed lands has not only brought into cultivation some of the finest agricultural lands in Piedmont North Carolina, but it has eliminated malaria in those sections. The Survey has assisted in the organization and carrying through of many of these districts, both in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. There is urgent need of the addition of a drainage engineer to the Survey staff, so that the work in connection with reclamation can be carried on continuously and more effectively. The passage by the General Assembly of 1921 of the act amend-ing the North Carolina Drainage Law, in which North Carolina drainage districts are declared to be and do constitute political sub-divisions of the State (Public Laws of 1921, Chapter 7, section 1), has materially facilitated the sale of drainage bonds. Several dis-tricts in the past few years have been handicapped in their development by the difficulty experienced in the sale of their bonds, due to the fact that attorneys for the bonds buyers were uncertain as to whether North Carolina drainage districts were to be considered political subdivisions of the State. North Carolina Drainage Law Many questions relating to the North Carolina drainage law are constantly being referred to the Director, and in his interpretation of the law he has had the most cordial cooperation of Mr. John H. Small, a member of the Board. Drainage engineers and commis-sioners are also seeking advice and suggestions regarding methods of drainage, authority of drainage engineers and commissioners, etc. Early in 1922 the Survey learned that many statements were being made in connection with the nonpayment of drainage assessments, and the idea seemed to be becoming prevalent that there was a great deal of land within drainage districts that was being advertised for sale on account of this nonpayment of drainage assessments. An in-vestigation was immediately begun through inquiry of drainage en-gineers and commissioners and sheriffs of the several counties in which drainage districts are located, with the result that the report was found to be very greatly exaggerated. In fact, considering the num-ber of districts and outstanding bonds, the percentage of districts in which land had to be sold was extremely small. If the officers who are directed by law to make and collect the assessments had done their full duty all the districts would have had a perfect score. In New 56 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST Hanover County, Drainage District No. 3, some lands were advertised and sold. In several districts in "Wayne County lands were advertised for sale, but the assessments were paid up and no land sold. One dis-trict in Craven County has had some legal difficulties and the interest and principal on bonds has been held up until the court decision was rendered. No land in Piedmont districts has been reported for sale. Utilization of Eeclaimed Land But little trouble is experienced in bringing into cultivation the reclaimed overflowed lands of the Piedmont area. These are usually held in small areas by a great many people and represent the most valuable agricultural lands of adjacent farms; and are in nearly all cases already cleared. The owners are usually ready to begin cultivation as soon as the land is reclaimed. In the Coastal Plain region, however, where the reclaimed swamp lands are usually held in very large tracts and covered with such timber as is left after logging, there is more or less difficulty ex-perienced in bringing these lands under cultivation. This is the greatest problem now confronting the State in connection with its reclamation work. Although these lands represent the richest agri-cultural lands of North Carolina, it is necessary to thoroughly advertise these lands as to their agricultural value, their location with respect to market, transportation facilities for crops, location with respect to schools and churches, and availability of supplies of pure drinking water. "With additional funds the Survey could be of very great as-sistance in this work by establishing a publicity bureau which by means of newspaper articles, addresses before agricultural conven-tions, agricultural expositions, and similar meetings, could bring be-fore the people of the State and country the extent and value of these reclaimed lands. Care, however, must be taken that in whatever method of advertising is used only accurate information and facts are given. The truth regarding them makes a sufficiently vivid story that will attract home seekers when they realize what Eastern North Carolina can offer them. Drainage Conventions North Carolina Drainage Conventions.—The Survey has cooperated with the North Carolina Drainage Association in holding two drain-age conventions, one on April 12 and 13, 1921, at Elizabeth City, and the other April 28 and 29, 1922, at Goldsboro. As a result of the conferences of the Elizabeth City convention considerable progress was made in the reclamation of certain swamp BIENNIAL KEP0RT STATE GEOLOGIST 57 lands in Pasquotank County, and in obtaining closer cooperation between interested parties throughout the State in the development and utilization of the black lands of the Coastal Plain region. During the convention the Director of the Survey had a conference with drainage engineers of the State, at which various questions were discussed relating to the drainage of the swamp lands, in what way the Survey could be of more assistance to the engineers, what was interfering with the organization and completion of certain districts, etc. As a result of this conference th
Object Description
Description
Title | Biennial report of the state geologist |
Other Title | Biennial report of the state geologist and director |
Creator | North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey. |
Contributor |
Holmes, J. S. (John Simcox), 1868-1958. North Carolina Geological Survey (1883-1905) |
Date | 1921; 1922 |
Subjects |
Cartography Fisheries--North Carolina Forests and forestry--North Carolina Geology--North Carolina--Periodicals Mines and mineral resources--North Carolina North Carolina. Department of Conservation and Development--Periodicals Natural resources--North Carolina--Periodicals Parks--North Carolina |
Place | North Carolina, United States |
Time Period | (1900-1929) North Carolina's industrial revolution and World War One |
Description | Publisher and printer varies. Published by the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, 1908-; Enumeration dropped after 1st (1891/1892). |
Publisher | [Raleigh, N.C.] :North Carolina Geological Survey,1893-1925(Raleigh :Josephus Daniels, state printer and binder) |
Agency-Current |
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality |
Rights | State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754 |
Physical Characteristics | 17 v. :ill., plates, maps ;25 cm. |
Collection | University Library. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Type | text |
Language | English |
Format | Reports |
Digital Characteristics-A | 3851 KB; 122 p. |
Digital Collection |
Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access, a North Carolina LSTA-funded grant project North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection |
Digital Format | application/pdf |
Title Replaced By | North Carolina. Department of Conservation and Development..Biennial report of the director |
Audience | All |
Pres File Name-M | pubs_edp_biennialreportgeologist19211922.pdf |
Pres Local File Path-M | \Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_edp\images_master\ |
Full Text | Library OF THE University of NortK Carolina This book was presented by C55o-^l*7r 192.1.2.2. UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEI Mil i Ilillllllll 00033964853 This book must not he taken from the Library building. ^~= . . ir^_ . ',,=3 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access (NC-LSTA) http://www.archive.org/details/biennialgeolo19211922nc NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, DIRECTOR and GEOLOGIST BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST DIRECTOR 1921-1922 RALEIGH Edwards & Beoughton Printing Company 1923 GEOLOGICAL BOARD Governor Cameron Morrison, ex officio Chairman Raleigh Frank R. Hewitt Asheville C. C. Smoot, III North Wilkesboro John H. Small Washington S. Westray Battle Asheville Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director and State Geologist Chapel Hill ©O O -J 60 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Chapel Hill, N". C, December 30, 1922. To His Excellency, Hon. Camekon Morrison, Governor of North Carolina. Sir:—There is herewith submitted my biennial report on the opera-tions of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey for the years 1921 and 1922. Suggestions are made as to what legislation is considered necessary for carrying out more efficiently the duties that have been assigned to the Survey. A financial statement covering the expenditures of the Survey for the past two fiscal years is also made a part of this report. Yours respectfully, Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Introduction 9 Administrative and Records Division 12 Division of Survey 12 Cooperation with State Commissions and Bureaus 14 Conferences 15 Geological and Mining Division 19 Geological Investigations 19 Examination of Mineral Specimens 20 Mineral Statistics 21 Correspondence 23 Forestry Division 23 Protection of Forests from Fire 23 Forest Fire Statistics 25 Special Examinations 26 Study of White Cedar 27 Reproduction of Spruce and Balsam 27 Study of Longleaf Pine 27 U. S. Forest Products Laboratory 28 Work of the U. S. Forest Service in North Carolina During 1921 and 1922 29 Cooperation with Forestry Associations 31 Forests and Lumbermen 31 Forest Nursery 33 Forestry Legislation 35 State Forest and Parks Division 36 Mount Mitchell State Park 36 Grandfather Mountain Park 39 Linville Gorge Park 39 State Forests 41 Water Resources Division 42 Water Power Conference 42 Water Powers 44 District Engineer Office 46 Reconnaissance Trips 48 County Water Power Surveys 49 Special Reports 49 Stream Flow Records 51 Weather Bureau Stations 51 Sedimentation 51 Municipal Water Supplies 52 Cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey 52 Map Exhibits 52 Utility of Work of Water Resources Division 53 O CONTENTS PAGE Drainage and Reclamation Division 54 Drainage of Swamp Lands 54 Overflowed Lands 54 North Carolina Drainage Law 55 Utilization of Reclaimed Land 56 Drainage Conventions 56 Cut-over Lands 58 Biological Division 58 Mapping Division 74 Traverse Map 74 Topographic Map 74 Geological Map 76 Soil Survey Maps 76 Coast and Geodetic Survey 79 Magnetic Declinations 80 Descriptions of Stations 81 Publicity and Publications 84 Addresses 84 Publications 89 Special Articles 90 Other Publications 92 Exhibits 92 Financial Statement 93 Publications 96 BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST AND DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY On the Operations of the Survey for the Two Years Ending November 30, 1922 By JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, Director INTRODUCTION The North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey as now or-ganized represents the consolidation of various lines of investigation, conservation and departmental work under the supervision of one Board known as the Geological Board; and which corresponds to what in several of the states is called "The Conservation Commission." In some of the states these various lines of work are still being carried on under separate commissions, as geological surveys, forestry com-missions, water power commissions, biological bureaus, drainage and reclamation commissions, topographic commissions, and fish and game commissions ; but the prevailing opinion seems to be that more economic and as efficient results can be obtained by the consolidation of several or even all of these various bureaus and commissions under one head. The Act establishing the present Survey, passed by the General As-sembly of 1905 and amended by subsequent Assemblies in 1909, 1917 and 1919, outlines in considerable detail the character and extent of the work to be undertaken and carried out by this Department of the State. As stated in these several Acts, to which references are made below, the work to be undertaken and carried out by the Survey is as follows : l1 . An examination of the mineral, forest, fishery, and other material resources of the State. 2 1 . An examination of the geological formations of the State with refer-ence to their economic products. 31 . An examination of the road-building materials and the best methods of utilizing same. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, section 1621. 10 BIENNIAL EEPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 41 . An examination and classification of the soils, the forests, and other physical features of the State, with special reference to their bear-ing upon the occupation of the people. 51 . An examination of the streams and water powers of the State, with special reference to the development for manufacturing enterprises and the preservation of the sources of these streams through the protection of the forests. 6 1 . The consideration of such other scientific and economic problems as in the judgment of the geological board shall be deemed of value to the people of the State. 71 . The preparation of such reports, illustrations, and maps as may be deemed necessary in placing the results of these investigations be-fore the public. 8*. And the State Geologist, with the approval of the Geological Board, is hereby authorized to arrange for and accept such aid and co-operation from the several United States Government bureaus and other sources as may assist in completing the topographic surveys of the State and in carrying out other provisions of this chapter. 91 . An examination of the water supplies of the State, with special refer-ence to the sinking of deep or artesian wells. 102 . To collect such data and publish such reports as will lead to a more economic and efficient road-building policy for the State, and to assist in the educational side of road work by the holding of road institutes, conventions, and through the publication and distribu-tion of literature relating to road supplies and road building. II3 . To work out plans and ways and means for the reclamation of the vast swamp and overflowed areas of the State and the utilization of these very rich black soils when reclaimed. 124 . To protect and conserve the forests of the State and to administer the forest fire law passed by the General Assemblies of 1915, 1919 and 1921. 135 . To administer State forests, and to use same so as to demonstrate the practical utility of timber culture, water conservation, and their use as refuges for game. 14e . To cooperate with counties in the protection of their forests from fire, and in the development of their natural resources. 15 7 . To assist in the establishment and organization of agricultural develop-ment districts. 16s . To cooperate with the Federal Power Commission in the carrying out of rules and regulations promulgated by that Commission; and to act on behalf of the State in carrying out any regulations that may be passed relating to water powers in North Carolina other than those relating to making and regulating rates. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, section 1621. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, section 6123. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 94, article 5, section 5417. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, article 5 ; Public Laws of 1921, chapter 26. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, article 3. 8Public Laws of 1921, chapter 26. Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 85, section 4693. 8Public Laws of 1921, chapter 138, section 1. BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 11 171 . To cooperate with the North Carolina Corporation Commission in in-vestigating the water power situation in North Carolina and to furnish said Commission with information regarding location of water power sites in the State, developed water powers, etc. 182 . To administer and protect Mount Mitchell State Park. 193 . To advertise the natural resources of the State through illustrated publications, maps and lectures. 20. To cooperate with other State bureaus in making investigations and publishing data in connection with the working out of certain State problems. As will be seen from the above outline, the work that the General Assembly has assigned to this Department is very varied and exten-sive, and as it relates to the investigation, conservation, protection and development of the natural resources of the State, it touches the diverse interests of all sections of Xorth Carolina and is of interest and value to every citizen of the State. The complete and successful carrying out of the work assigned to the Survey is dependent upon the amount of the appropriations made to the Survey by the General Assembly, and in making such appropriations the General Assembly should give con-sideration to the fact that the Survey's work represents what, as is stated above, is in many states the work of several State bureaus or commissions. Where the work is in any way national in scope, the Survey has re-ceived the heartiest cooperation of the various Federal bureaus, which have in many cases made liberal appropriations for cooperating with the State in certain of its investigations; and in this way the work of this Department has progressed much more rapidly than it could other-wise possibly have done. One means of advertising the natural resources of the State is through newspaper and magazine articles; but before such articles can be satisfactorily prepared information must be obtained regarding these natural resources through such investigations relating to their occurrence, location, quantity, value, facilities for development, etc., as have been and are being made by the Survey. Reports on these investi-gations have been prepared for publication, but the printing of several of them has been delayed for from one to two years on account of lack of funds for printing same. These reports are not only necessary to give the information to those who would prepare newspaper and mag-azine articles—for these articles, to be of real value, should deal with facts and accurate information—but they are also necessary to enable 'Public Laws of 1921, chapter 138, section 2. 2Public Laws of 1921, chapter 222. "•Consolidated Statutes, Vol. 2, 1919, chapter 101, article 1, section 6122; and article 2. 12 BIENNIAL KEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST the State to give to the investor, home seekers and others, as well as the students, accurate information regarding the State's natural resources. To be of the greatest value to the State these reports should he printed and be made available for distribution at the time when they will be of the most value either in conserving the interests of the people or in ad-vertising our resources when these resources are in most demand. Some of these reports, of course, have intrinsic value for all times, but some have a much greater value if they can be published as soon as the in-vestigation is completed. Delay in publication may and often does mean the withholding of information which it has cost the State and Federal Government thousands of dollars to obtain, and it may cause the State to lose many more thousands of dollars because the informa-tion is not available for capitalists who are interested in investigating and developing at once the resources to which it refers. The demand for these reports on the natural resources of the State comes not only from the people of North Carolina, but people from all over the country. If the investigations are of value to the State, the results of the investi-gations are worth a great deal more to the State, but unless they are made available they are of little or no value. ADMINISTRATIVE AND RECORDS DIVISION By JOSEPH HYDE PHATT, Director Divisions of Survey The work of the Survey is organized and conducted as outlined in the following chart : The work of the Divisions of the Survey is directed as follows : Administrative and Records Division—Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director. Geological and Mining Division—Wm. F. Prouty, Geologist. Forestry Division—J. S. Holmes, Forester. Water Resources Division—Thorndike Saville, Hydraulic Engineer. Drainage and Reclamation Division—Joseph Hyde Pratt, Engineer. Mapping Division—T. F. Hickerson, Engineer. Biological Division—W. C. Coker, Biologist. State Forests and Parks Division—Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director. The work accomplished by the several divisions and suggestions for future work and investigations is described in detail under each head. The personnel of the Worth Carolina Geological and Economic Sur-vey for the past two years has consisted of the following, who have been employed either the whole or a part of their time: Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director and State Geologist. J. S. Holmes, State Forester. W. D. Clark, Chief Forest Fire Warden. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 13 C. H. Burrage, District Forest Warden. Fred B. Merrill, District Forest Warden. D. L. Moser, Warden, Mitchell State Park. Wm. F. Prouty, Geologist. W. S. Bayley, Geologist. Jasper L. Stuckey, Geologist. Thorndike Saville, Hydraulic Engineer. Warren E. Hall, Hydraulic Engineer. L. J. Hall, Hydraulic Engineer. T. F. Hickerson, Civil Engineer. W. C. Coker, Biologist. J. N. Couch, Assistant Biologist. Miss Alma Holland, Scientific Assistant Biologist. Miss Minnie Queen, Secretary to Director. Miss Grace White, Stenographer. Miss Etoyal Parker, Stenographer. B. W. Sipe, Office Assistant. Claude V. Jones, Office Assistant. Forest Fire Wardens and Patrolmen: W. J. Bumgardner, F. C. Gwaltney, H. L. Hartley, S. D. Nester, Fred L. Shoemaker, R. L. Wiseman, H. A. Coggins, Will E. Fletcher, Clint W. Howell, T. W. Maney, Tom J. Pittilo, Grover Robeson, Garland V. Stepp, Lynn Weaver, Thomas Branch, Geo. Cloer, L. H. Moore, H. B. Steele, Sr., T. J. McDonald, D. W. Swan, J. L. McClure, H. B. Steele, Jr., Ernest D. Penland, Ed. T. Shearer, C. F. Denton, Geo. A. Brown, Matt L. Burress, Jonas Medford, Jarvis Palmer, A. J. Sumner, R. J. Fletcher, J. P. Whitaker, R. F. Jarrett, C. G. Rogers, A. H. Weaver, Robt. Brinkley, Charlie Hemphill, R. C. Nanney, Geo. Rhom, G. R. Dale, Lit Durham, H. Forney, W. J. Hardin, G. E. Isaacs, L. B. Murray, Sibbald Smith, Riley McCall, G. W. Robbins, J. F. Blackburn, Geo. E. Blevins, Geo. W. Bradley, J. T. Byrd, C. H. Colvard, Grant Cothren, G. A. Eller, P. D. Emerson, A. C. Hendrix, L. M. Jarvis, R. C. Meadows, H. H. Moorehouse, W. H. Nichols, W. A. Payne, Cama Robeson, J. W. Robbins, D. C. Sebastian, W. C. Triplett, G. H. Walker, Vance Wright, W. E. Perry, J. A. Bristol, B. B. Morrow, J. M. Payne, B. M. Young, R. A. Swain, V. G. Groves, Ralph W. Ledford, J. W. Crisp, W. P. Rose, W. L. Gaddy, Benson Phillips, Jas. R. Plott, J. P. Bumgardner, G. C. Crawford, Meritt Matthews, John F. Melton, Jerry Moody, A. C. Watson, W. B. McGuire, A. B. Burgin, Dewey G. Brown, M. R. Nanney, J. L. Waters, Billie Peterson, W. C. Street, W. W. Jenkins, Robt. H. McMahan, W. C. Gravely, S. A. Jones, W. J. Owen, Geo. Green, J. R. May, James Sherwood, G. C. Parsons, J. A. Hannum, Sewell R. Phillips, Joe Robison, W. R. Rice, J. B. Rice, F. B. Cutler, G. M. Harris, A. B. Wallace, J. E. Daugherty, A. B. Hawkin, C. J. Heath, J. A. Morton, S. N. Moore, W. E. Moore, G. F. Bryant, J. W. Carmon, G. M. Evans, S. F. Mitch-ell, B. C. Nicholson, S. F. Mauney, Oscar Lovedahl, R. W. Christian, G. F. Hubbard, R. C. Leggett, J. A. McLean, W. T. Reaves, John L. Smith, H A. Williams, J. Claude Williams, F. C. Yarboro, R. F. Benton, J. W. Dale, J. M. Gore, W. C. Gore, T. G. Sessions, J. S. Johnson, R. J. Horner, James F. Berry, N. M. Britt, R. M. Bruton, D. C. Lemon, M. A. Wicker, C. H. Bonham, T. W. Mercer, Elijah A. Orrell, J. G. Blake, W. H. Lewis, Erie D. McKoy, W. J. Ennis, R. M. Pearson, and J. L. Underwood. 14 BIENNIAL EEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST Temporary Geologists and Assistants: M. R. Campbell, Kent K. Kimball, Lynn John Adcock, Wm. Thomas Cox and D. M. Moodie. Laborers on Mitchell Park: Artus Moser, Fred Moser, Bingham Downs and Fred Herron. Surveyors and Assistants in Water Power Investigations : L. W. Fischel, G. Wallace Smith, Oscar E. Martin, R. P. Farrell, J. H. Council, A. Y. Cottrell, Hubert Neville and Norman M. Paull. Temporary Clerks and Stenographers: Laura Payne Mangum, Jesse R. Rhue, Edward Wilson, L. W. Fischel, Hazel Ledbetter, L. B. Marshall, Bessie Merritt, Mrs. Jasper L. Stuckey, Mamie Pickard, R. E. Boyd. Gauge Readers: J. M. Wall, Ada Kidd, S. N. Reynolds, Martin A. Faulk, Georgia E. Walldrup, J. Z. Wright, Willie Mengus, J. T. Hayes, W. L. Wyatt, A. D. Kilpatrick and Allen Kidd. Draftsmen: A. S. Chase, Roy J. Morton, L. W. Fischel, Raymond J. Rosenberger, S. C. Austin, J. B. Broach, K. B. Noe, and M. A. Hill, Jr. Cooperation with State Commissions and Bureaus The Survey has tried to cooperate in every way possible with the several State commissions and bureaus. It prepared and turned over to the State Highway Commission type-written copies of the results of Mr. Jasper L. Stuckey's investigation of structural materials of the State. A cooperative arrangement has been made with the Commissioner of Labor and Printing in regard to information obtained relating to water powers, and the Survey in collecting its statistics is obtaining information at the same time that is especially desired by the Com-missioner of Labor and Printing. It has also prepared for that De-partment special reports on the amount of water power produced in the State. The Survey has also prepared for the Commissioner of Labor and Printing information regarding the production of minerals in this State. The Survey is cooperating with the Corporation Commission in collecting information and statistics regarding water powers, trans-mission lines, etc. At the request of the Governor, the Survey prepared a special report, in cooperation with the Fisheries Commission, on the fisheries of the State, their protection and development. The Survey has cooperated with the Insurance Department in fur-nishing information in regard to the value of mineral properties owned by corporations who are trying to sell stock in North Carolina. In collecting statistics relating to forest fires the Insurance Depart-ment is furnished such statistics as they desire relating to buildings destroyed during the fires. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 15 The Survey has cooperated with the State Board of Charities and Public Welfare in investigating prison conditions and suggested legis-lation. The State Survey has had the hearty cooperation of several of the Federal bureaus in the following investigations : In cooperation with the TJ. S. Geological Survey, the State Survey has completed the investigation of the magnetic iron ores of Ashe and Avery counties; and the brown iron ores of "Western North Carolina; and made a detailed investigation of the Deep River coal basin; and collected statistics relating to the quantity and value of minerals pro-duced in the State during the years 1920 and 1921. In cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of Mines, the Survey has investi-gated metallurgical treatment of the iron ores of Western North Carolina ; the method of mining and hazards of mining of the Deep River coal deposits ; and made coking and washing tests of coal from this same area. The U. S. Forest Service has cooperated very extensively with the State Survey in the protection of the forests from fire, this cooperation being conducted as authorized by the Weeks Law. The Forest Service has also cooperated with the Survey through its Experiment Stations at Asheville and New Orleans in special investigations relating to re-production. The Survey has cooperated with the Southern Forestry Congress, the National Drainage Congress, American Forestry Association, the Na-tional Research Council, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Mississippi Valley Association in national meetings, in investiga-tions relating to problems in which North Carolina is peculiarly in-terested, and in presenting information relating to North Carolina in which the different organizations were interested. With several State associations the Survey has been very closely as-sociated and has assisted the North Carolina Forestry Association, the North Carolina Drainage Association, the North Carolina Agricul-tural Society, the Made-in-Carolinas Association, and the Made-in-Caro-linas Exposition in holding conventions and expositions. Conferences The following represent the principal conferences that the Director has held during the biennial period : 1921 April 28. Before Florida Forestry Congress at Tallahassee, Fla. : Conserva-tion of the People's Resources, with special reference to forests. 16 BIENNIAL EEPORT STATE GEOLOGIST April 29. Before House of Representatives of the Florida Legislature: Forestry Legislation,. May 3. Before Convention of the Mississippi Valley Association at New Or-leans, La.: Water-Power Development in Western North Carolina. May 18. Before Good Roads Mass Meeting at Columbia, S. C: Organiza-tion of Good Roads Forces. Conference at Asheville in regard to appropriation from Buncombe County, in Protection of Forests from Fire, October 10, 1921. Conference of citizens of Murphy in regard to the Natural Resources of Chero-kee County and area, August 30, 1921. Conference at Cranberry with Prof. Bayley and Mr. Burchard and members of the Cranberry Furnace Company in regard to magnetic separation of iron ores, July 25, 1921. Director, National Drainage Congress at St. Paul, Minn., September 22, 1921. Executive Committee, Southern Forestry Congress at Atlanta, July 20, 1921. Meetings of the North Carolina Agricultural Society; one in October and one in December. Meeting of the National Berkshire Hog Breeders Association at Pinehurst during Sandhill Fair, October, 1921. . Conference of the Directors of the Made-in-Carolinas Exposition Company (September 7). Meeting of the North Carolina (Society of Civil Engineers at Greensboro (July 8). Conference of State Geologists, Knoxville and Johnson City, Tenn., October 13, 1921. 1922 January 24. Conference at Asheville with Major Fiske, and Messrs. Hoyt, Hall and Matthews in regard to Cooperation between Tennessee River Survey and U. S. Geological Survey and the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey. On February 2, at Chapel Hill with R. P. Richardson of Reidsville in regard to various gold properties in the State. On February 4, at Raleigh with State Fair officials in regard to development of the State Fair Grounds and policy to pursue with regard to ex-hibits. On February 12, at Washington, D. C, with J. C. Williams, Manager of De-velopment Service of the Southern Railway, in regard to the water power situation in the Southern Appalachian region and the desirability of the President of the Southern Railway calling a conference to be held at Asheville of all parties interested in water power and other development in the South; also in regard to cooperating with them in making examination of clay deposits along the Southern Railway. On February 15, at Washington, D. C, with Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt, Presi-dent of the State Fair, regarding appointment of directors of the Fair, and shaping policy for the coming year. On February 16, at Washington, D. C, with Messrs. Lyons and Van Siclen of the U. S. Bureau of Mines in regard to their cooperating with the Survey in making an investigation of the best method of mining and handling the coal in the Deep River coal field. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 17 On February 19, at Washington, D. C, with Colonel Henry S. Graves of the Yale Forestry School, in regard to forestry work in North Carolina, and what was being done in regard to teaching natural resources and forestry in the University of North Carolina and the A. and E. College. On February 23, at Washington, D. C, with M. R. Campbell of the U. S. Geological Survey, in regard to their further cooperation with the State Survey in making a detailed geological examination of the Deep River coal field, together with a topographic map of the same. With J. G. Peters and R. D. Forbes of the U. S. Forest Service in regard to work of the Forest Service Experiment Station at Asheville and co-operative work of the Survey with Forest Service under the Weeks Law. With R. S. Maddox, State Forester of Tennessee, in regard to cooperation between the two states in the protection of forests from fire in those counties bordering the North Carolina-Tennessee line. On February 24, at Raleigh with Secretaries of Chambers of Commerce and others in planning for a Carolina Products Week. It was decided that the best time to hold this Week would be in September. Conference with 0. M. Butler, Forester of the American Forestry Associa-tion, in regard to cooperation of that association with the various departments of the several states. Conference with R. P. Richardson at Chapel Hill in further regard to develop-ment of gold properties. , Conference at Chapel Hill with J. J. Forbes of the Bureau of Mines in regard to the investigation of the mining conditions in the Deep River coal field and arranging for his work there. On March 22, conference at Charlotte in connection with the Made-in-Caro-linas Association. On March 10, meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agricultural Society at Raleigh. March 24, meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agri-cultural Society at Raleigh. April 5, conference in Charlotte in connection with the Made-in-Carolinas Association. April 26, conference in Charlotte in connection with the Made-in-Carolinas Association. April 27, meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agri-cultural Society at Raleigh. Meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Drainage Asso-ciation at Goldsboro. April 29, conference at Goldsboro with F. H. Newell, Consulting Engineer of the U. S. Reclamation Service, and Congressman W. B. Bankhead in regard to National Reclamation work and a National Reclamation Bill. May 16, conference at Asheville with N. C. Grover of the Water Resources Division of the U. S. Geological Survey; Major Harold C. Fiske, District Engineer of the War Department at Chattanooga, Tenn., and Wilbur A. Nelson, State Geologist of Tennessee, in regard to the water-power conference of the Southern Appalachian states. 18 BIENNIAL KEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST May 17, conference at Asheville with Fred Perley in regard to opening and use of highway to Mount Mitchell State Park. May 19, meeting of the North Carolina Agricultural Society at Raleigh. May 22-23, conference at Washington with Herbert Hoover, Secretary, and C. H. Huston, Assistant Secretary of Commerce; O. C. Merrill, Executive Secretary of the Federal Power Commission; N. C. Grover of the U. S. Geological Survey; Col. C. H. Birdseye of the Topographic Division of the U. S. Geological Survey; J. G. Peters and T. W. Nor-cross of the U. S. Forest Service; Lincoln Green, Vice-President, and J. C. Williams, Manager of Development Service of the Southern Railway, in regard to the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference to be held in Asheville June 20-22. June 5, meeting of the North Carolina Agricultural Society at Raleigh. June 6, conference at Macon, Ga., with officers of the Georgia Forestry Asso-ciation in regard to legislation relating to forestry for the State of Georgia. June 19, conference with Asheville Conference Committee of the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference. June 16, meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agricul-tural Society at Raleigh. June 20-22, meeting of the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference at Asheville. June 23, Director attended meeting of the Southern Appalachian Section of the American Foresters at Asheville. June 29, conference at Raleigh with L. W. Stephenson regarding the publica-tion of the State report on the Upper Cretaceous Formations of North Carolina which is being published in cooperation with the U. S. Geologi-cal Survey. Meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agricultural Society. The Mississippi Valley Association, of which the Director is the director for North Carolina and Mr. Small is the vice-president of the Water- Power Section, held its annual meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, April 25-26, and was attended by Mr. Small. July 9, with Directors of Made-in-Carolinas Association at Charlotte. August 11, with representatives of Western North Carolina at Asheville in regard to holding a Western North Carolina tourist industry con-ference. August 24 and 25, with W. D. Tyler, President, and R. D. Forbes, Secretary, of the Southern Forestry Congress, in regard to annual meeting of this Congress. November 18, with Dr. H. F. Moore, Deputy Commissioner of the U. S. Bu-reau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C., regarding North Carolina fisheries. November 21, with Col. C. H. Birdseye of the Topographic Division of the U. S. Geological Survey, regarding cooperation with the State Survey in preparation of map of North Carolina. November 22, with W. C. Mendenhall, Chief Geologist of the U. S. Geological Survey, and Wilbur A. Nelson, State Geologist of Tennessee, in regard to publication of the cooperative report on the magnetic iron ores of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. BIENNIAL BEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST 19 With J. G. Peters of the U. S. Forest Service in regard to cooperative work of the Forest Service with the State Survey in protection of the forests from fire. November 24, at Greensboro with members of the Committee of One Hundred on Prison Reform. GEOLOGICAL AND MDfOG DIYISION By JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, State Geologist Geological Investigations During the past two years the principal geological investigations of the Survey have related to iron ores; structural materials; clays and clay products ; coal ; talc ; and barytes ; and the preparation of a geologi-cal map of the State. Iron Ores.—The investigation of the iron ores of Western North Carolina has been completed and the results will be published in two bulletins: one on the Iron Ores of "Western North Carolina, by Prof. "W. S. Bayley; and the second one on the Magnetites of "Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, by Prof. "W. S. Bayley, which will be published as a joint bulletin by the Tennessee and North Caro-lina Surveys. Both these reports have been sent to the printer, but owing to lack of funds have not yet been printed. Several typewritten copies of the report on the brown iron ores were made and distributed. Condensed reports of these two bulletins have been published as bul-letins of the TJ. S. Geological Survey, as all this work was cooperative between the Federal and State Surveys. These reports give detailed' in-formation regarding the location, geological and physical occurrence of the iron ores, methods of mining, and treatment of the ores. Structural Materials.—Results of the investigations made by Mr. Jasper L. Stuckey on structural materials have been typewritten and several copies sent out to interested parties, including the State High-way Commission. On account of lack of funds this report has not been printed. This report gives the occurrence of gravel and certain sand deposits in North Carolina and calls attention to many of the stone deposits. Clays and Clay Products.—There has been an unusual demand for information relating to the clays and clay products of North Carolina, and in this work the Survey has had the services of Mr. D. M. Moddie, who has had long years of experience in the clay industry. He has made examinations of clay deposits in Forsyth, Davidson, Stanly, Moore, Montgomery, Richmond, Anson, Burke, McDowell and Madison counties, and special reports have been typewritten and sent to those de-siring same. 20 BIENNIAL EEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST The clay industry is one of the more important mineral industries in the State and the Survey should be in a position to assist the industry in every way possible. There is urgent need of a ceramic laboratory for the Survey in which any and all tests can be made relating to the clay and clay products of the State. At the present time the Survey is only in a position to make preliminary tests, and all final and complete tests have to be made at outside laboratories. Most of this work is done for the Survey by the Ceramic Laboratory at Columbus, Ohio. Such a laboratory is also needed by the University of JSTorth Carolina, and the Survey and the University could very efficiently use one laboratory. Coal.—One of the more interesting investigations that has been con-ducted during the past two years has been that relating to the coal deposits occurring in the Triassic formations of Lee, Chatham and Moore counties. This investigation, which has been under the direct supervision of Mr. M. R. Campbell, geologist of the U. S. Geologi-cal Survey, assisted by Mr. Kent K. Kimball and Mr. fm. T. Cox, has shown the existence of a basin of coal which contains, as estimated by the geologist, at least sixty million tons of commercial coal. This in-vestigation was made in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey. The result of this investigation will be ready for publication during the month of February. Talc.—During the summer of 1922, Mr. Jasper L. Stuckey made a thorough investigation of the talc (pyrophyllite) deposits of Moore County, adjoining the Triassic formations. This investigation was taken up to determine something more definite regarding the occurrence and origin of the pyrophyllite, as well as its quantity and methods of mining. Barytes.—A report has been prepared by Mr. Anson G. Betts on the barytes deposits of Madison County. This report has not been printed on account of lack of funds. Geological Map.—A geological map has been compiled by Prof. Wm. F. Prouty, of the University of North Carolina, and the Director; and this will be ready for publication early in the spring. There is a very large demand for this map, as none has been published since the Kerr- Holmes map of 1890. Examination of Mineral Specimens There were received at the Survey office during the past two years 385 samples of minerals and rocks for examination. These were care-fully looked over and examined, and reports made to the senders as to the character of the sample and its possible commercial value. Most of BIENNIAL, REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 21 the samples received do not represent anything of commercial or scien-tific value, but occasionally samples are received which are of real in-terest and have led to development of commercial supplies of these minerals. The Survey makes no charge for such mineralogical determinations, but when an assay or chemical analysis is considered worth while the Survey arranges, if desired, for such analysis to be made, for which there is a special charge. Mineral Statistics In cooperation with the IT. S. Geological Survey statistics have been collected regarding the mineral production in North Carolina during 1920 and 1921, with the exception of the statistics relating to clay prod-ucts in 1921, and gold and silver. These statistics have usually been published by the Director in a report on the mining industry of the State for the biennial period, but owing to lack of funds this report has not been printed for the last four years. The total value of the minerals and mineral products produced in North Carolina during 1920 was $8,183,661 and the mineral prod-ucts produced were brick and tile, granite, mica, feldspar, sand, gravel, iron, marble and other forms of limestone, pottery clay, kaolin, coal, talc, soapstone, peat, quartz, sandstone, barytes, millstones and mineral wa-ters. There were 229 producers of the above minerals, who obtained their productions from the following 67 counties: Alamance, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumber-land, Davidson, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Gaston, Guil-ford, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Johns-ton, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mecklen-burg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, ISTash, New Hanover, Northamp-ton, Pasquotank, Pender, Pitt, Randolph, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Yance, "Wake, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson and Yancey. The total value of the minerals and mineral products produced id North Carolina during 1921, with the exception of clay used in the manufacture of brick, tile, and terra-cotta products, was $4,894,806, and the mineral products produced were : barytes, clay (including kaolin and stoneware), coal, feldspar, gold, granite, iron, limestone, marble, mica (including muscovite and biotite), millstones, mineral waters, peat, sand and gravel, sandstone, silver, talc and soapstone. There were 76 producers of the above minerals, who obtained their production from 22 BIENNIAL EEPORT STATE GEOLOGIST the following 3"6 counties : Anson, Avery, Buncombe, Caswell, Chero-kee, Cleveland, Craven, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Haywood, Hen-derson, Jackson, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Rocking-ham, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Wayne, Wilson and Yancey. Arrangements have already been made with the U. S. Geological Sur-vey for the collecting of similar statistics for 1922, as per the following agreement : Agreement.—For cooperation in the collection of statistical data between the United States Geological Survey and the State Geologist of North Carolina. In order to avoid duplication of requests for statistical information of mine and quarry operations, and also in order that the State Geologist may be kept in touch with the mineral producers of the State, the following agreement between the Director, Geological and Economic Survey, and the Director of the United States Geological Survey is made for the collection of the statistics of mineral production (with the exception of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc) in 1922. As soon as possible after the first of December a numbered list of the mineral producers in the State of North Carolina (a duplicate of the working list of the Federal Survey) will be sent to the State Geologist, who will check it with the data in his office and notify the Federal Survey of any additions and corrections. These corrections will be made on the list of the Federal Survey, properly numbered, and the State Geologist advised of the list number given. The blanks for the collection of statistical data will be printed at the expense of the United States Geological Survey and stamped with the state-ment that the work is done in cooperation with the State Survey. The inquiries will be mailed from the United States Geological Survey, but will contain a franked envelope for the return of the reply to the State Geologist. If the State Geologist considers a report incorrect he will attach a memorandum of the points questioned to the statistical card before forward-ing same to the Federal Survey. If correction is obtained by the Federal Survey through correspondence with the producer or in any other way, a copy of the corrected report will be furnished the State Geologist. The second and third requests for information will be prepared in the office of the Federal Survey in the same manner as the first request. The fourth request will be sent by registered mail. After all means to secure returns by mail have been exhausted, the State Geologist will undertake to secure the reports of delinquents by personal visits of himself or his assistants. Before any publication of results is made, the totals for each subject must be checked and agreed upon by the State Survey and the United States Geological Survey, in order that there may be no discrepancy in the published data. Figures representing the output of less than three producers will not be published, unless authorization therefor has been obtained in writing from the producers interested. It is understood that in all preliminary or BIENNIAL KEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 23 press notices relating to the mineral embraced under cooperation, issued by either the Federal Survey or the State Survey, credit for the cooperative plan will be given. (Signed) Geo. Otis Smith, Director, United States Geological Survey. (Signed) Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director, North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey. Dated October 19, 1922. Correspondence Considerable time of the Director and State Geologist is taken up in answering inquiries regarding the location, occurrence, and quantity of the various minerals that are known to occur in North Carolina. In many instances the information desired is available in the publica-tions of the Survey, which can be sent to the inquirer. In many other cases, however, the information has not been published and it is neces-sary to write out the information desired in each case. Such inquiries have been received requesting information relating to iron ores, gold and silver, copper, lead, zinc, and tin ores; talc, coal, barytes, mica, feldspar, garnet, lime, marl; cement, clays and clay products, includ-ing pottery, tile, terra-cotta and brick; zircon, rutile, ochre, peat, and gem minerals. In several instances the information submitted has led to the investigation of many properties and investment in same. FORESTRY DIVISION J. S. HOLMES, State Forester The work of this Division has been under the direct supervision of Mr. J. S. Holmes, State Forester, assisted by Mr. W. D. Clark, Chief Forest Fire Warden. By reason of the increase in the appropria-tion for the work of the Survey made by the General Assembly of 1921, considerable additional work was taken up in this Division during the biennial period. The principal extension in the work was in the pro-tection of greater areas of forest from fire. Protection of Forests From Fire All the work done in this State by the Survey in connection with the prevention of forest fires is in cooperation with the U. S. Forest Service under the Weeks Law. Mr. W. D. Clark, Chief Forest Fire Warden, is in direct charge of this work, assisted by Messrs. C. H. Burrage and Fred B. Merrill, District Wardens, who have the direct supervision of the work of the forest wardens. Considerable time has been spent by Mr. Holmes, Mr. Clark, the District Forest Wardens, and the Director in interesting the several counties of the State in co- 24 BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST operating with the Survey in the protection of their forests from fire as authorized by the General Assembly of 1921. (Public Laws 192 J, Chapter 26). The Survey has carried on forest fire prevention work in the counties listed below, and has appointed within those counties 14:5 forest wardens, as indicated: Alexander 2, Ashe 1, Avery 4, Beaufort 3, Buncombe 8, Burke 2, Caldwell 2, Cherokee 6, Clay 6, Columbus 5, Craven 6, Cum-berland 11, Graham 3, Harnett 1, Haywood 8, Henderson 2, Jackson 9, Macon 1, McDowell 8, Mitchell 3, Montgomery 2, Moore 2, New Hanover 3, Pender 3, Polk 1, Eutherford 2, Sampson 3, Surry 2, Swain 3, Tran-sylvania 4, Watauga 4, Wilkes 21, Yancey 4. The appointment of the wardens in those counties which are co-operating with the Survey is on recommendation of the county com-missioners. The organization of these fire wardens is becoming more effective, and as they become better acquainted with the work expected of them they consequently are much more efficient. Areas bordering the National Forests in North Carolina have been designated by the Director as forest fire districts, and forest wardens have been appointed to patrol these areas, although some of them are in counties which are not cooperating with the Survey. This was considered advisable inasmuch as it gave a very large contiguous area of forest land that was patrolled and has made a splendid illustration that satisfactory results can be obtained in protecting the forests of such large areas from fire, and illustrates further what might be ex-pected if the State would make adequate provision for protecting all its forested area. On account of the requests from counties for cooperation in the protection of their forested areas the Survey will be obliged during the next biennial period to withdraw its wardens from those counties which do not cooperate except in the limited areas in those counties adjoining the National Forests. It will be very greatly to the advantage of this phase of the work of the Survey if a sufficient appropriation could be made by the State to enable the Survey, in making its coopera-tive agreement with the counties, to state in the agreement that the county will be called upon to pay only the cost of putting out the fires, while the State will pay the cost of all the wardens. At a conference with representatives of the U. S. Forest Service a plan of organization for the next biennial period was decided upon which is somewhat different from that in force during the past two years. There will be appointed in each county a county forest warden who will have direct supervision of the work of the forest wardens in his county, and in addition there will be appointed deputy forest BIENNIAL, REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 25 wardens who will only be called upon for service when there is a forest fire. It is believed that with such an organization forest fires can be located within a very short time after they start, and a suffi-cient force collected at the scene of the fire to enable it to be extinguished before very much damage has been done. Under the "Weeks Law there was allotted for cooperative forest fire protection work in North Carolina for the fiscal year July 1, 1921, to June 30, 1922, the sum of $35,000, but owing to lack of funds the Survey was only able to take advantage of approximately $10,000 of this amount. For the year July 1, 1922, to June 30, 1923, the Forest Service would have allowed the State $24,000 if the State could have met the appro-priation. The allotment was cut to $12,000 which the State Survey was able to meet. For the fiscal year July 1, 1923, to June 30, 1924, the State can probably receive $24,000 if the General Assembly makes sufficient appropriations so that it can meet this allotment on a fifty-fifty basis. There is now a bill before Congress increasing the Federal appropriation for cooperating with states under the Weeks Law, and if this bill is passed the State's allotment would be from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars. Forest Fire Statistics Statistics relating to forest fires, their causes, area burned over, re-sulting damage, etc., have been collected for the years 1920 and 1921. At the beginning of January each year a questionnaire on forest fires was sent out to some two thousand voluntary forest fire correspondents, representing nearly all the townships in the State. The forest wardens also make reports. The statistics thus collected from these several sources represent approximately the damage the State is suffering from forest fires. There is given in the following table the results of these investigations for the years 1920 and 1921 : 1920 1921 Number of fires 1,607 1,632 Area burned over 190,000 271,430 Standing timber destroyed (M. ft.) 39,000 35,000 Value of young growth destroyed $ 514,000 $ 552,000 Total damage reported 1,258,000 1,092,500 There is no doubt but that a considerable percentage of this loss could have been prevented if the Survey had had sufficient funds to organize the protective forces in each county. Before forest fire pre-vention work can ever be made the most effective it will be necessary to have the support and cooperation of the people of the State, and this can be obtained when they are made to realize that each one is materially affected by this loss from forest fires. 26 BIENNIAL REPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST Special Examinations As far as practicable, the Survey has made special examinations of forested areas for individuals and corporations where such examinations were in the interest of solving some particular problem, or where the investigations made would give information of value to the State as a whole. During the biennial period the State Forester has made the following special examinations : In April, 1921, the Hermitage Plantation at Castle Hayne, New Hanover County, was examined in company with the owner, Mr. Geo. C. Burgwin of Pittsburgh, Pa. The problems considered were the preservation and conservation of the forests, and reproduction. In June, 1921, the Forester visited the property of Mr. Bennett Nelme near Ansonville to study the damage done to the forested area of the farm by a hailstorm and to advise as to what was the best thing to do with the timber. In September, 1921, the Forester met the Boulevard Committee of Chapel Hill and Durham to arrange plans for planting and reserving shade trees along the Chapel Hill-Durham Highway. In October, 1921, in company with Mr. Chapin Jones, State Forester of Virginia, and Mr. C. F. Korstian of the Appalachian Forest Experi-ment Station, the State Forester made a preliminary investigation of the growth and condition of white cedar on the forested area of the property of the Richmond Cedar "Works. An examination was also made in October by the Forester, in com-pany with Mr. Korstian of the U. S. Forest Service, of Riverside Park, Rocky Mount, belonging to the Pocky Mount Mills. It was desired to develop this park for the benefit of the public, and the For-ester prepared a plan for thinning of the trees and preservation of the trees to be retained, and for the general development of the park. In February, 1922, the Forester, in company with Mr. E. F. McCar-thy of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station, visited Cranberry, Avery County, and measured sample trees and plots of yellow poplar which were originally laid off and measured in September, 1920. Seed-lings of yellow poplar had come up in abundance on the thinned areas and both Foresters were greatly impressed by the rapid growth and very favorable development of the yellow poplar on this tract. In September, 1922, the Forester, together with Messrs. E. H. Frothingham and C. F. Korstian of the U. S. Forest Experiment BIENNIAL BEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST 27 Station at Asheville, examined certain forested; areas in Orange County as example of Piedmont forests. Study of White Cedar At the request of the Survey, the Experiment Station agreed to cooper-ate with the Survey in the study of white cedar or juniper in the Dismal Swamp region of North Carolina. The Forester, with repre-sentatives from the Experiment Station, has made several trips into Eastern North Carolina in Pasquotank, Tyrrell, Dare, and other counties in connection with this investigation. The object of the study is to determine, if possible (1) how lands once in white cedar but now densely covered with shrubs can be brought back to the original growth ; (2) how logging can best be conducted in order to secure reproduc-tion of white cedar after logging; (3) to determine the rate of growth and general sylvicultural requirements of the white cedar in such situa-tions. Preliminary reports were made to the interested landowners, and a final report will be published by the State or Eederal Government. Reproduction of Spruce and Balsam In cooperation with the Forest Service Experiment Station at Ashe-ville, the Survey is making an investigation relating to the reproduc-tion of spruce and balsam. Very satisfactory results have thus far been obtained in the reproduction of these species on the Mount Mitchell State Park, which has been protected from fire for the past six years. An area partly on the Park and partly on the National Forest and lying on the east slope of Mount Mitchell, which was devastated by forest fires before it came into the possession of the State and Federal Governments, is to be replanted. This is done for two purposes, one to demonstrate that it is possible to reforest such an area by the planting of seeds and seedlings, and the other to bring back into forests an area which is an eye-sore to the tens of thousands of visitors that are now visiting the State Park each year and have to pass this area en route. Study of Longleaf Pine A study of second-growth longleaf pine has been made in Eastern North Carolina in cooperation with the National Research Council. The work was done by the Forester. The object of the study was to obtain reliable data on the yield per acre of even-aged, well stocked second-growth stands of longleaf pine. Measurements were made on 24 plots. The most noticeable result of the investigation was that only 28 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST a very small amount of second-growth longleaf pine could be found, which is due without doubt chiefly to the frequent burning of the land and the presence of hogs. U. S. Forest Products Laboratory The Forest Products Laboratory of the IT. S. Forest Service, which is located at Madison, Wisconsin, sent out a party of skilled men to make a study of waste wood in factory use at several chair factories in Pied-mont North Carolina. They visited and studied conditions in the factory of the Thomasville Chair Company and the Standard Chair Company at Thomasville, and of the Hickory Manufacturing Com-pany at Hickory. This laboratory is making some very interesting investigations relating to the use of woods, substitution of woods, etc., and placed at the disposal of the Survey for distribution to the wood-using industries of the State copies of their report of what is being done. The laboratory is ready to cooperate with the Survey and assist our wood-using industries in solving the problems that are confronting them. Copies of the report of the work of this laboratory were forwarded by the Director to nearly all the wood-using industries in the State, accompanied by the following letter: Gentlemen:—In these times of keen competition it is essential that manu-facturers of wood products should be in possession of the latest informa-tion regarding the properties of the various kinds of wood and their suit-ability for different uses. With the object of putting you in touch with such information, I am enclosing a circular describing the aims and work of the Forest Products Laboratory. This circular has been kindly furnished by the U. S. Forest Service for distribution in this State. If you are already familiar with the work this most valuable Govern-ment institution is doing, please pass this book on to some other interested party; but, if not, I hope you will read it and then take advantage of the as-sistance and advice which is offered all users of wood in the industries. If there is any assistance that you desire or if you have any suggestions re-lating to investigations you think should be made, please write to us regard-ing same. With the growing scarcity of certain kinds and grades of timber some modification in the lumber requirements and specifications of our wood-using industries is inevitable; and if the Survey can assist you to a more economical use of the so-called inferior grades which have heretofore been often misused or wasted, it will be only too glad to do so. Yours very truly, (Signed) Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 29 Work of the U. S. Forest Seryice in North Carolina During 1921 and 1922 The following is a condensed report of the activities of the U. S. Forest Service in North Carolina during the past two years, as re-ported to the Survey: During the years 1921 and 1922 there was approved for purchase in North Carolina, under the Act of March 1, 1911, 24,421 acres of forest land at the headwaters of navigable streams and located largely in Madison, Macon, Avery and Caldwell counties. This makes the total area purchased or approved for pur-chase in the State of North Carolina up to July 1, 1922, 349,870.20 acres, situated in three National Forests—the Unaka, the Pisgah, and Nantahala. The administration of the National Forest areas in North Carolina has been featured in 1922 by the most severe fire season in the history of these areas as National Forests. Progress in perfecting the fire protection system has been steady, however, and reports for the year will show a smaller acreage burned over than in preceding seasons. The North Carolina National Forests are becoming steadily more popular as public recreation areas. It is estimated that 10,000 people passed over the Pisgah motor road during the past summer, while some 22,000 traveled the scenic road to Mount Mitchell. The National Forest road and trail programs are being pushed ahead as rapidly as funds will permit. The timber sale business on the North Carolina Forests has been dull during the past two years due to the general depression in the lumber industry, but there are many indications pointing toward a revival of timber sale activities in the Appalachian Forests in 1923. As in previous years the Forest Service during 1921 and 1922 con-tinued cooperation with North Carolina in the protection from fire of the forested watersheds of navigable streams. The area of forested land brought under protection is estimated to havej increased by 5,000,000 acres over the area protected in 1920. In carrying on this work the Federal Government expended $2,226 in 1921 and $9,506.91 in 1922, or a total for the two years of $11,732.91. The North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey expended for the same purpose from State moneys $5,052.77 and $9,506.92, respectively, during these two years, or a total of $14,559.69. The Federal expenditure of $9,506.91 in 1922 could have been at least doubled if State funds had been available to meet the increase in Federal expenditure. One of the most forward steps taken during the years 1921 and 1922 was the establishment in July, 1921, of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station with headquarters at Asheville. It is fully be- 30 BIENNIAL BEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST lieved that this station in the Southern Appalachian Mountains will do as much towards solving the forestry problems in that region, not only in North Carolina but in the other Southern Appalachian states, as the agricultural experiment stations have done for the agricultural problems in the different states. The general purpose of such a station is to secure concrete facts concerning the life-history and growth of the forests and their response to climatic conditions, dif-ferences in slope, altitude and aspect, the effect of lumbering upon the forests, and what can be expected in the way of growth and development of the timber under the great variety of conditions which are found in the region. It is believed that economic forces in the Southern Appalachian states are rapidly approaching a condition which will make the practice of forestry an objective even with commercial timber operators. The region is possessed of many very valuable timber trees whose growth is rapid and whose perpetuation it is be-lieved can easily be brought about. The force at the experiment station consists as yet only of four technical men and a clerk, but since these men devote their entire time to forest research problems they should be able to accomplish a good deal for the region. The first study undertaken was that of determining the requirements neces-sary to keep forest lands in the region productive. Other projects in progress include a study of the methods of cutting and natural re-generation of the hardwood forests, the success and growth which has attended the planting of trees on the Biltmore Estate, damage to the forests by fire, relation between reforestation and grazing, and special studies of the yellow poplar and southern white cedar, and re-forestation both natural and by planting of the spruce-fir type at the high altitudes. In all of this, of course, the experiment station force has consulted with the organizations interested in forestry in the region and has picked out the more urgent problems as the ones which ought to receive first attention. Whenever possible, cooperation has been arranged with such organizations. The Forest Service has also been able to give some attention in the matter of educating the public in forestry matters. Particularly through the preparation, in cooperation with the Forester of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, of a popular forest tree manual which will be of use in identifying and describing about 70 of the more common forest trees of the State. A publication of this kind is very badly needed. BIENNIAL EEPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST 31 Cooperation with Forestry Associations The Survey has cooperated with the North Carolina Forestry Asso-ciation in holding a State Forestry Convention at Wilmington, January 27, 1922. The Survey has also cooperated with the Southern Forestry Congress in forestry conventions held at Tallahassee, Florida, in April, 1921 ; Atlanta, Georgia, in July, 1921; and at Jackson, Mississippi, in Feb-ruary, 1922. The Director is chairman of the executive committee of the Congress. At each convention representatives of the State Survey appeared before the legislatures of the several states to give information and answer questions in regard to State forestry legislation. It is believed that such cooperative work of the Survey with these forestry associations is of inestimable value to the general forestry work in the State, as it enables the Survey to keep in direct touch with forestry problems that are coming up in other states and in the Nation, the solving of which gives information that is beneficial in working out similar problems in this State. Forests and Lumbermen The following statement, taken from the January 28, 1922, issue of the Southern Lumberman, quotes largely from one of the forestry circulars of the Survey, and is in accord with the principles recognized by the Survey and which it is trying to put into practice in its re-lation to lumbermen and users of timber : It is so seldom that a kind word is said for the lumbermen in publi-cations and treaties concerning forestry, we can not refrain from calling particular attention to a recent circular issued by the Forestry Division of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey entitled "The Forest Problem in North Carolina." This circular, after a few preliminary sentences regarding the diminution of the forest supply by exploitation and destruction by fire, has this to say, under the subheading of "Forests and Lumbermen": "Much blame for our deforested condition is thrown at our lumbermen. It is no purpose of this discussion to hold any brief for any mistakes of the lumberman. It is rather an attempt to point out the true underlying cause of ruthless forest exploitation, placing the blame where it honestly belongs, to the end that we may find an adequate solution of the very serious problem of forest restoration that confronts us. Lumbermen did not create the enormous demand for their wares. This demand originated in the God-given impulse within mankind for progress and development. "The lumbermen have been the instrument through which the demand has been supplied. They have been the experts in the conversion of trees into lumber shapes for building the homes which fill our land and make it bloom; for the construction of railroads and bridges, ships and piers 32 BIENNIAL EEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST to transport all necessary supplies, and to distribute to their various markets the produce of farm and factory. The lumbermen supplied the raw materials for manufacturing furniture, farm implements, vehicles, boxes, crates, paper pulp, musical instruments, toys, and all other articles made from wood. They have built their rail and tram roads, their flumes and sled roads into the wild and inaccessible places from our loftiest mountain tops to the lowest swamps. They have bridged the canyons and hurled steel cables from tail to spar and made the huge logs yield to irresistible force. By the application of powerful and wonderfully designed machinery they have gathered the raw products of the forest, converted them into usable shapes, and distributed them to our local markets for further fabrication. Their spirit of adventure, courage, hardihood, hazardous risks for large capital, able management and skill have never been exceeded in any line of endeavor by any race of men. The countries of the world have sent their agents to them for instruction in the harvesting of forest crops. He has succeeded most in the lumber industry who has been able to supply best and at lowest cost what the consuming public has demanded. Keen competition and hazardous risks of large investments have threatened him with financial ruin, and many there have been who failed. Mere self-preservation has been the restraining force keeping the woods operator from conducting selection cuttings, from leaving seed trees, from providing adequate protection against forest fires and from carrying on all other methods advocated for the public interest and for future generations. Such measures necessitate scattered logging over extensive areas and could have been adopted only at increased costs all along the line. One operator could not incur such expenses unless all operators would do the same. One operator could not increase the price of, his product in order to cover such increased costs unless his competitor would do likewise. Every purchaser of lumber has sought the cheapest market. What purchaser ever stopped to inquire as to whether the price he was about to pay for his lumber would justify the manufacturer in taking steps to ensure a new crop of trees on the cut-over area? If the operators made any attempt to unite for the purpose of increasing their selling price they re-ceived a quick call from the guardians of the Sherman anti-trust law. That they were between an upper and nether millstone in this matter is perfectly clear. The point which should be appreciated is that the cost of growing timber as a crop has never been included as a factor in determining the selling price of lumber. To what extent the cost of growing timber should govern the cost of lumber in the future is a mooted question. But that we must have future forests, and that we all must pay in some way or other for the growing of them, is beyond dispute." It is unfortunate that all of those who write of the forestry problem do not approach the subject in such a spirit of sanity and understanding. It is admitted that the preservation of the forest resources of the country is a duty to the public, but the fact should not be overlooked that the owners and users of the timber have some rights in the matter. Never will the forestry problem be settled—at least settled properly—until this funda-mental principle is recognized, and it is distinctly encouraging to see it so generously recognized by the forestry officials of one of the South's leading timber-growing states. BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 33 Forest Nursery There is great need for a forest nursery in this State which can supply desirable material for planting at reasonable cost: (a) For ornamental and shade trees along our State-wide system of highways. (b) For planting on school grounds for purposes of shade, ornament and demonstration. (c) For farm planting on waste or eroded and abandoned lands for the production of fence posts and other farm timbers. (d) For the planting up of more extended areas of cut-over and devastated private lands for the production of timber. (e) For planting by the State institutions on State land and by municipalities on their public land for improvement of the property and protection of watersheds. There has already been considerable inquiry for planting stock for these purposes. Our best native pines, with the exception of the white pine, cannot be purchased anywhere, so far as the Survey is aware, in quantities and at a rate to justify planting for timber production, and these are the species that are recommended for most situations. Again, to give best results, trees should be grown in the same climate in which they are to be planted. And, again, larger trees for highway planting are usually very expensive at commercial nurseries—when they can be secured at all. The State nursery should provide them at cost or free of cost to the State Highway Commission, which should be authorized and instructed to plant, reserve and protect roadside trees. A reference to what some other states are doing along this line may be of interest. Pennsylvania, in 1920, had six nurseries producing more than five million trees a year at a cost varying from 50c to $4.00 per thousand. "Forest trees are distributed free of charge in lots of 100 or more, for planting in Pennsylvania, the applicant to pay the cost of packing and transportation. Shade and ornamental trees will be given free of charge for planting by municipalities, State institutions and public schools, the applicant to pay the cost of packing and transportation." Michigan State Forest Nurseries sell nursery stock to private parties for forest planting within the State at a price varying from $1.50 to $7.00 per M. to cover cost of production, packing and delivery to 3 34 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST railroad station. Fifty per cent more is charged to parties outside the State. The New York Conservation Commission has six forest nurseries with 115 acres available for producing trees in 1921. In that year they distributed more than 3 million trees to private landowners, muni-cipalities and State institutions, and planted a large number on their own State Forests. At the end of the year they still had nearly 22 million trees on hand. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation has several nurseries, which turned out in 1920 more than two and a quarter million trees. These were distributed for private planting, to State institutions, State Forests and to towns and cities. The latter were furnished trees free of cost for planting on watersheds. The Maryland State Board of Forestry has a small nursery on the lands of the State University, and the State Forester in his last report strongly recommends its considerable enlargement to provide especially for growing large trees for highway planting. His argument is so appli-cable to North Carolina conditions that it is given here: It has been found in every state where forestry has made progress, that in order to encourage the planting of waste lands and lands more suitable for forest growth than for other purposes, it is necessary for the State to produce stock suitable for planting at the lowest possible cost, and to render every reasonable assistance to encourage such planting. A few years ago, when the Roadside Tree Law was enacted, providing for the planting of trees along the highways, there developed a demand for large-sized trees suitable for the purpose. The forest nursery has en-deavored to meet this demand in a limited way, by devoting a considerable part of the space to the growing of large-sized trees. This large-sized stock is sold only to those who will plant it along the public highway. Such trees are frequently planted on private property fronting the road. Since there is only a limited appropriation for the maintenance of the nursery, forest and roadside tree planting stock cannot be furnished free, but is distributed at the actual cost of growing it. Only trees are grown that are of proven value for forest or roadside planting. The public in-terest in the planting of trees along the highways to beautify them, and make travel more comfortable and attractive, has increased tremendously in the last few years. It is strongly recommended and requested that the Survey be given sufficient appropriation and the necessary authority: 1. To purchase sufficient land suitable for a forest nursery within convenient distance of the Survey headquarters. BIENNIAL KEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST 35 2. To erect a toolhouse and storehouse on the property, buy nec-essary tools and seeds and employ the necessary labor to start a small forest nursery. After the first few years the nursery should be self-supporting except for supervision and for the stock used by the Survey in planting State forests and parks and by other State departments. Forestry Legislation North Carolina has a very good forest-fire law, and if it was enforced to the extent that it should be it would very materially lessen the num-ber of forest fires and bring the people to a realization of the need of the protection of the State's forests from fire and the need of the co-operation of the people in preventing these fires from starting. In order to bring this question more directly to the attention of the people of the State, the judges of the several Superior Court dis-tricts were requested by the Survey to mention in their charges to the juries the forest-fire laws, the need of the protection of the forests from fire, and the value of the forests to the people of the State. It is believed that, when the people once realize the need of these measures and the enforcement of the law, there will be need of but very few prosecutions. The first thing necessary is for the people to realize and know that there are laws relating to forest fires, and that these laws are to be enforced; and our people will, it is firmly believed, comply with the law. It is also believed that, in the interest of the prevention of forest fires, legislation should be passed relating to the elimination of special fire hazards, and which would empower the Geological Board to declare certain things, such as uncleaned railroad right of ways and large ac-cumulations of brush and slash adjoining municipal or other public lands, to be special fire hazards and that the Board could require those responsible for such conditions to clean them up so that they would not be a menace to neighboring property. Similar regulations are now being applied by the Insurance Department to special fire hazards in connection with buildings. 36 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST STATE FOREST AND PARKS DIVISION By JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, Director Mount Mitchell State Park The General Assembly of 1921 passed a bill placing the Mount Mitch-ell State Park under the jurisdiction of the Geological Board (Public Laws of 1921, Chapter 222), and authorizing the Board to exercise and perform all the rights, powers, duties and obligations that had been theretofore exercised and performed by the Mount Mitchell Park Commission and the Mitchell Peak Park Commission. The Board was further authorized and empowered to charge and collect fees for the use of such improvements as have already been constructed or may hereafter be constructed on the Park and for other privileges con-nected with the full use of the Park by the public; to lease sites for camps, houses, hotels, etc. ; and to make and enforce such necessary rules and regulations as may best tend to protect, preserve, and increase the value and attractiveness of the Park. It is believed that if a nominal charge was made for all visitors entering the State Park sufficient funds could readily be obtained for paying all costs connected with the administration and protection of the Park. This, however, does not seem to be a just thing to do; and it seems that it would be a much better policy for the State to throw the Park open to the public, under certain regulations, and provide funds out of the general treasury for its upkeep and protection. That the Park is appreciated by the public is shown from the number of visitors that each year ascend Mount Mitchell. Before the con-struction of the highway to Camp Alice, which is about a mile from the summit of Mount Mitchell, there were approximately a thousand visitors per year to the Park. With the completion of the highway to Camp Alice in June, 1922, there were over twenty thousand visited the Park during the months of July, August and September. This large number of visitors very naturally increases the cost of the maintenance of the Park; and while, as stated above, a small fee of twenty-five cents from each one would have raised sufficient funds to have paid all costs in connection with the maintenance of the Park, it did not seem that the Board was justified in making this charge. Another year there will be two or three times as many visitors to the Park as during the past year. These people come from all sections of the country. In the table below there is given the number of people by State and foreign countries who registered at Mount Mitchell State Park during the years 1921 and 1922. These lists, of course, only represent a portion of the people who visited the Park, but they do indicate from where they come. BIENNIAL KEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST 37 VISITORS REGISTERED AT MOUNT MITCHELL PARK DURING SUMMERS OF 1921 AND 1922 State 1921 1922* 50 75 1 11 5 1 2 55 73 3 3 1 4 160 204 16 7 30 10 9 88 3 5 4 4 35 1 9 6 81 14 1 1 6 7 2 8 545 6 2 20 1 88 1 55 6 40 3 4 3 10 26 1,465 Ohio 16 2 16 338 130 16 77 3 24 Foreign Countries 1 1 Cuba 2 4 1 1 1 1 2 •Through September 5, 1922. 38 BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST The automobile highway which was constructed from Black Mountain to Camp Alice, which is about one mile by trail below the summit of Mount Mitchell, and opened to the public in June, 1922, is a one-way toll road. It is believed that with the large number of automobiles that will travel this road from year to year it will very soon become necessary for a two-way road, either as a circular road or widening the present road, to be built. The State, under the Highway Commis-sion Act passed by the General Assembly of 1921, has authority to construct roads from State highways to connect same with State parks. It is believed it will pay the State to arrange through its Highway Com-mission to construct a road from Mount Mitchell Park to Asheville along the route of the crest of the Blue Ridge Highway, via Stepps Gap, Balsam Gap, Craggy Mountain and Bulls Gap. Such a road would be equal in its scenic attractions to the celebrated Columbia River Road of the State of Oregon which is so thoroughly advertised, and would be traveled each year by tens of thousands of automobiles and teams. Reproduction of Balsam.—The reproduction of balsam on the State Park is extremely satisfactory. The State Park has been examined several times by the Forester and members of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station at Asheville, and a study made of reproduction and the method of protection from forest fires that is in vogue on the Park. Dense reproduction of balsam under the forest cover was ob-served. Counts of twenty plots of one foot square showed an average of sixteen seedlings to the square foot, equal to nearly three-quarters of a million seedlings to the acre. Seedlings from three to six years old were found on several of the areas that had formerly been burned over, before the tract was acquired by the State. On areas cut over, but from which the fires had been kept out completely, many young trees from one to three feet in height were observed. This reproduction on the State Park indicates what can and should be obtained on the forests throughout the mountain region, if they are protected from fire. Height of Mount Mitchell.—For some time certain scientists and mountain climbers have been claiming that Mount LeConte was higher than Mount Mitchell. Recently the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey sent one of its experts, Clem L. Garner, to measure Mount LeConte, the height of Mount Mitchell already having been definitely determined as being 6,711 feet. Mr. Garner measured LeConte up and down and around, and has reported to the Survey that it is only 6,580 feet, giving the ISTorth Carolina mountain the honor of being the higher by 131 feet. The result of the measurement has been officially conveyed to BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 39 the Survey by the Director of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in the following letter : U. S. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY Washington, July 6, 1922. Col. Joseph Hyde Pratt, State Geologist, Chapel Hill, N. C. My dear Colonel Pratt:—In response to your inquiry of the 5th instant, I take pleasure in informing you that the recent trigonometric leveling to determine the elevation of Mount LeConte, Tennessee, shows that the brass tablet on the middle peak is 6,547 feet above mean sea level and the elevation of the earth on the east peak is 6,580 feet above mean sea level. These re-sults may be in error by plus five feet. This office will be glad to be of further service to you at any time. Yours very truly, (Signed) E. Lester Jones, Director. Grandfather Mountain Park The Grandfather Mountain area, comprising something over a thou-sand acres, was at one time offered to the State by the McRaes of Wilmington for a State park, but at that time the State was not in a position to accept, maintain or protect such a park. It is now a question as to whether this area shall be turned over to the United States Government to become a national monument or park, or whether it shall become a State park. Grandfather Mountain is a unique mountain and should be retained for the use of the public, and par-ticularly the people of North Carolina. It is recommended that the General Assembly take such action as may be deemed wise in the interest of securing for the people of North Carolina the Grandfather Mountain area to become the Grandfather Mountain State Park. Linville Gorge Park Another area that should become a State park is the Linville Gorge area which stands out unique as a natural attraction and should forever be preserved in its wild and natural beauty for the people of the State. There is quoted below a recent letter from Dr. H. F. Moore, Deputy Commissioner of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, in regard to Linville Gorge. 40 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Fisheries Washington, December 5, 1922. Col. Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director, Geological and Economic Survey, Chapel Hill, N. C. My dear Colonel Pratt:—As you know, I have long been acquainted, in my official capacity, with Eastern North Carolina and, recently, I have added to my pleasant associations with the State the experiences of two vacations at Linville Falls. I have been deeply impressed by the great value of the asset which North Carolina possesses in Linville Gorge, and am concerned that its wonderful natural beauty should be preserved unimpaired for the en-joyment not only of the people of the State, but of the ever-increasing host of tourists who are seeking health and recreation afield. I believe that Linville Gorge is unique in the eastern part of the country, and that it would be a matter of more than State-wide concern should its wild and rugged beauty be destroyed. Its scenic value lies not only in the deep sculpturing of the gorge, the waterfalls and rapids, but also in the forestation of its limiting mountain slopes and ridges. The foliage in 1921 was not excelled by anything that I have ever seen elsewhere. It is an asset to the State on which no pecuniary valuation can be placed. It is now wild and unspoiled throughout its length, and steps should be taken to keep it so. Once spoiled, it cannot be restored. It should be protected from fire, from spoliation by unscientific and reckless lumbering operations, and from unnecessary diversion of its waters. The State is now spending many millions of dollars on its road sys-tem. One way of earning a dividend on this large investment is to attract tourists who will not merely pass through the State and wear out its roads, but who will tarry and spend their money or invest permanently in taxable property, and who will find health and pleasure to serve as an incentive to come again. All New England profits greatly from its summer vacationists, and in Maine, in particular, the service of the summer visitor and the sports-man attracted by hunting, fishing, and life in the open, enriches the State by millions of dollars annually. Our great national parks are visited each year by hosts of people, many of whom come from the east. There are many more who would visit these parks, but who cannot afford the time and money for distant travel. North Carolina gets some of these, but if she will advertise the recreational resources of her mountains, the wonderful scenery, the fishing, hunting, and the possibilities for healthful life in the open, she can at-tract many more. If its attractions were made more generally known, Linville Gorge would bring many visitors to the State, but this influx of travel would bring its own perils, as the hazard of fire would be increased from the acts of the normal proportion of reckless and careless persons to be found in any group. It is not necessary nor advisable to make so-called "improvements," which would possibly merely .spoil what nature has done so well, but the gorge BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 41 and its environs should be under competent supervision and have ade-quate protection that its beauty may be preserved for the enjoyment of generations to come. Cannot the State do this? In a few years it may be too late. Sincerely yours, (Signed) H. F. Moore, Deputy Commissioner. Linville Gorge lies within the limits of the Boone Purchase Area, within which lands are being acquired for national forest purposes by the United States Government through the United States Forest Service, and has already had negotiations with the owners of the prop-erty which includes the gorge. While the gorge might become part of a national forest, it is still believed that this unique area should be owned and controlled by the State. State Forests There is need, and it is believed the time is now opportune, for the State to begin the purchase of cut-over timber lands and hold and conserve same as State forests. It is firmly believed that this can be done very economically and profitably to the State. Such cut-over lands suitable for this purpose and which should not be considered at the present time, and perhaps for the next hundred years or. more, as agricultural lands, can be purchased at from $2 to $5 per acre. Such areas can be purchased that are well stocked with second growth or contain sufficient quantity and quality of seed trees that will ensure reproduction. These areas can be effectively protected from fire at a reasonable cost, and the State can be ensured of a marketable growth of timber at the end of a definite period of years. Three hundred thousand acres of cut-over lands, which is a less area than the Federal Government now owns in this State, should not cost over $1,500,000. The State should issue fifty-year bonds to pay for this land. The interest charge on this amount for the fifty years at five per cent would be $3,750,000. The cost of maintenance of the 300,000 acres and its protection from fire would be approximately three cents per acre per year, or $9,000 per year for the entire area. For the fifty years this would make the maintenance charge $450,000. The total cost at the end of the fifty-year period for the 300,000 acres of State forests would be as follows: Bond issue to pay for land $1,500,000 Fifty-year interest charge 3,750,000 Fifty-year maintenance charge 450,000 Total $5,700,000 42 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST At the end of the fifty-year period there should be marketable tim-ber on this land of from 8,000 to 15,000 feet per acre. At a low estimated value of $5 per thousand on the stump for the timber this would make the timber value per acre, estimating the lowest amount of 8,000 feet per acre, of $40 per acre. At 15,000 feet, it would be $75 per acre; and for the 300,000 acres the value of the timber would be from $12,000,000 to $22,000,000. The total cost as indicated above would be $5,700,000, leaving a net profit to the State of from $6,300,000 to $16,800,000. It is believed that this is an economic problem that should be given serious consideration by the General Assembly. There are something like 20,000,000 acres of forest lands in the State, a large proportion of which will be and should be maintained in forests for several generations to come; and the State could well plan to buy in several million acres of these lands as cut-over lands and maintain them as State forests. If a satisfactory arrangement in regard to taxing growing timber can be worked out, there are undoubtedly many individuals and cor-porations who would at once begin the reproduction and cultivation of forests. WATER RESOURCES DIVISION THORNDIKE SAVILLE, Hydraulic Engineer Water-Power Conference During the past ten years the attention of the people has been turned almost constantly to the water-power resources of the State. More inquiries have been received at the Survey office for information regarding magnitude, extent and location of water powers than in any other equal period. Questions of riparian rights, location of dam sites, silting of storage reservoirs, evaporation record, etc., are con-stantly being asked, which shows that the value and need of such information when considering the development of any water power is be-ginning to be realized. The Survey is cooperating with all agencies possible to collect and give out this information. The discussion of water powers in the daily press and magazines and the inquiries re-ceived in correspondence indicated that the present was an opportune time for calling a conference to consider the water-power situation in the State and in the whole Southern Appalachian region. After considerable correspondence between the several State Geologists, it was decided to call such a conference and to hold it at Asheville, June 20-22, 1922. BIENNIAL EEPOET STATE GEOLOGIST 43 The following extract from one of the State papers gives a good idea of the conference : INDUSTRIES REPRESENTED Permanent Organization Formed at Meeting in Asheyit.t.e The gathering of the South's most eminent hydraulic engineers and other representatives of the great hydro-electric industry in the South, which was held at the Battery Park Hotel, Asheville, June 20-22, came to an end with the formation of a permanent body to be known as the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference. Of this body, Col. Joseph Hyde Pratt, Director of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, is President; the Vice-President is Lincoln Green, First Vice-President of the Southern Railway; Professor J. A. Switzer of the University of Tennessee was elected Secretary, and Thorndike Saville, Chief of the Division of Water Resources of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, was made Treasurer. The meetings of the conference at Battery Park were unusually well attended and the papers presented were of great value, many of them describing new methods in water resources studies. The U. S. Government had a representative present from nearly every Federal Department, in-cluding N. C. Grover, Chief Hydraulic Engineer of the U. S. Geological Sur-vey; O. C. Merrill, Executive Secretary of the Federal" Power Commission; C. H. Birdseye, Chief Topographer of the U. S. Geological Survey; C. V. Hodgson of the Coast and Geodetic Survey; T. W. Norcross, Chief Engineer of the U. S. Forest Service; Colonel H. B. Ferguson, Assistant Secretary of War; Warren E. Hall, District Engineer of the U. S. Geological Survey; and others. The important industries of the South were also well represented by such men as Lincoln Green, First Vice-President of the Southern Railway; 0. G. Thurlow, Chief Engineer of the Alabama Power Company; W. S. Lee, Chief Engineer of the Southern Power Company; P. A. Tillery, General Manager of the Carolina Power and Light Company; B. R. Chestney, Chief Engineer of the Central Georgia Power Company; H. L. Wills, Operating Manager of the Georgia Railway and Power Company; T. C. Williams, Vice-President of the Columbia Railway and Navigation Company; Major Harold C. Fiske, District Engineer of the Norfolk and Western Railroad; and others. The conference was generally regarded as the most important affair of its kind ever held in the United States, and was taken as inaugurating an era of cooperation between the hydro-electric utilities, the Federal and State commissions, and promoters of water-power development. It is expected that as the work of the conference gets under way it will mean much for the development of water power in the South Atlantic states. A number of important committees were appointed, which are to sub-mit reports at the next meeting of the conference. It is expected that the work of these committees will be of great value. One, on Energy Supply, will consider the location of undeveloped water powers in the Southern Appalachian states, the order of development, the location of auxiliary steam plants, the making of water-power surveys, the taking 44 BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST of stream-flow measurements, the problem of silting, etc. Another will treat of interconnection of the various power developments; and a third will consider proper Federal and State legislation to aid in water-power develop-ments and to regulate such developments in the interest of the public for maximum proper encouragement to hydro-electric enterprises. Water Powers The demand for water powers in North Carolina is considerably in excess of the developed supply. Many progressive municipalities are becoming seriously concerned at the power shortage and are seeing industries locating elsewhere and the growth of their own cities re-tarded by lack of power. For this reason some of our municipalities are contemplating municipal development of water-power sites. Many of our large cities are well situated for this purpose, being near un-developed sites. Today the initial expenditure for construction of large dams, power houses and transmission lines is so great and the return on the investment is often so small that it is not attractive to private capital; but municipalities can afford to spend large sums in such developments at a small rate of interest on the investment, since the difference between what their plant may earn and what stockholders in a private corporation would demand is the benefit accruing to the municipality through the possession of power which it can offer to industrial plants, the location of which within the municipality adds largely to its revenue. While such a return is intangible, it is yet very real and a benefit to every element in the city. There are many water-power sites capable of developing from 500 to 2,500 horsepower and so located in regard to railroads that a factory built near the railroad and developing one of these water powers and building five miles of transmission line can become independent so far as power is concerned. Interconnection.—One of the questions that comes up in regard to the utilization of water power and its maximum efficiency is in regard to interconnection of the smaller and large water powers. While there has been some investigation made in regard to the utilization of the southern water powers, not much thought has thus far been given to definite interconnection of the various power developments into a larger system. It is very interesting to note that this question was answered to some extent by an occurrence during the summer of 1921 when the Carolina Power Company of Raleigh, North Carolina, was short of power on account of the unprecedented low water at that time, and could not get sufficient water to enable it to run its auxiliary steam plant. Raleigh at that time was on a part-time water supply. The Carolina Power Company applied to the Southern Power Company for power, but this latter company had no excess power. It in turn took BIENNIAL BEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 45 up the question of supply with the Georgia Power Company, but this company was also without any surplus power, and took up the question with the Alabama Power Company. This company operated its steam plant at night and supplied the Georgia Power Company with the needed power; it in turn supplied the Southern Power Com-pany, which in turn supplied the Carolina Power Company, and thus enabled this latter company to serve its customers. This is an example of interconnection and utilization of power which as it is developed will make the hydro-electric development nearly 100 per cent efficient. It is believed that many of our smaller water powers in various areas of the Southern Appalachian states can be interconnected into a larger system and thus become more and more efficient. While it does not seem necessary at the present time to consider a super-power zone similar to what has been worked out between Washington and Boston, yet the time is at hand when it is considered necessary that more consideration should be given to interconnecting systems of power lines through Southern Appalachian region. Information needed when considering water-power development.— When considering the development of any water power a great deal of information is needed before an engineer can determine the value of the water power or what it can produce, such as data relating to stream flow, rainfall within the river basin, evaporation records, maps (such as topographic maps, geological maps) and information regarding the rocks, forested areas of the river basins, etc. Such information cannot be collected by the individual, nor always by a state, and as its value is of interest to an adjoining state its collection becomes possible only through Federal cooperation. At the present time there are many Federal and state agencies collecting data and informa-tion of value to those interested in water-power devlopment, such as : Interior Department U. S. Geological Survey Water Resources Division Topographic Division Agricultural Department U. S. Forest Service Weather Bureau Department of Commerce Coast and Geodetic Survey War Department Corps of Engineers Air Service ^Federal Power Commission 46 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST Geological, economic and natural history surveys Forestry departments Conservation commissions Water-power commissions Corporation and public-service commissions Municipalities STATE ! Public utility and water-power corporations Railway companies Industrial corporations with water power developments In order to make the information collected by these various agencies the most efficient and available there should be the closest cooperation between all of them in regard to making their information available to the others and to prevent duplication of work. There are many problems in which water-power companies are extremely interested, the investigation of which they are carrying on to some extent, but which it is believed that if there was a close cooperation between the water-power companies and the various state and Federal agencies these problems could be more quickly and satisfactorily solved. It is believed that as a result of the water-power conference referred to above and of the resultant permanent organization there will be a much closer cooperation between the various interests in water powers, in making available information regarding their developments, data on stream flow, etc. District Engineer Office The work of this Division is done very largely in close cooperation with the "Water Resources Branch of the U. S. Geological Survey, and as North Carolina was cooperating in a much larger measure than any of the other South Atlantic states, the U. S. Geological Survey's dis-trict office was moved from Atlanta, Georgia, to Asheville, North Carolina, and while a sub-office was retained by the Survey in Atlanta, practically all the work for the South Atlantic states has been done from the Asheville office. This office is in charge of Major "Warren E. Hall of the U. S. Geological Survey. ' About ninety-five per cent of all stream-gauging and stream-flow measurement that has been done from this office has been on North Carolina streams, and this stream work represents to a considerable degree the chief work of the office. Before this office was moved to Asheville there were but fourteen gauging stations in operation, as follows : BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 47 Roanoke River at Old Gaston, N. C. Yadkin River near Salisbury, N. C. Yadkin River at Donnaha, N. C. French Broad River at Asheville, N. C. French Broad River at Dandridge, Tenn. Pigeon River at Newport, Tenn. Tuckaseigee River at Bryson, N. C. Little Tennessee River at Judson, N. C. Little Tennessee River at McGhee, Tenn. Nantahala River at Wesser, N. C. Hiwassee River at Murphy, N. C. Hiwassee River at Reliance, Tenn. Valley River at Tomotla, N. C. Nottely River near Ranger, N. C. All of these stations have been maintained except Nantahala River at Wesser, N. C, which has been removed to Almond, N. C, on the same river, during 1921. After thorough investigation of available sites the following gauging stations have been installed and put in operation : Roanoke River at Buggs Island, Va. (Just above N. C. line.) • Dan River near Pinnacles, Va. (Near Brim, N. C.) Deep River at Ramseur, N. C. Yadkin River at High Rock, N. C. (Tallassee Power Co.) Yadkin River at North Wilkesboro, N. C. Fisher River near Dobson, N. C. Ararat River near Pilot Mountain, N. C. Wilson Creek near Adako, N. C. French Broad River at Blantyre, N. C. French Broad River at Redmond, N. C. French Broad River near Newport, Tenn. (Just over N. C. line.) Davidsons River near Brevard, N. C. Swannanoa River at Biltmore, N. C. Pigeon River near Crabtree, N. C. Tuckaseigee River near East Laport, N. C. Scotts Creek at Sylva, N. C. Oconalufty River at Cherokee, N. C. Little Tennessee River at Franklin, N. C. Cullasaja River at Cullasaja, N. C. Nantahala River at Almond, N. C. Hiwassee River near Hayesville, N. C. Shooting Creek near Hayesville, N. C. "Watauga River near Elizabethton, Tenn. (Near N. C. line.) North Toe River at Spruce Pine, N. C. From the above it will be seen that 37 gauging stations, either on North Carolina streams or on streams just entering or just leaving the State, have been in operation during the past two years. It has be^n possible to operate this number only by having the hearty coopera- 48 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST tion of the Tennessee District and of private parties operating under orders of the Federal Power Commission. Of the total number of stations put in operation it has since been found advisable to discontinue the following: Ararat River near Pilot Mountain, N. C. (Gauge, flooded by backwater from dam being constructed downstream.) Wilson Creek near Adako, N. C. (Federal Power Commission project abandoned.) Scotts Creek at Sylva, N. C. (Section found to be poor.) Nantahala River at Wesser, N. C. (Abandoned in favor of a better section at Almond.) Dan River near Pinnacles, Va. (Private cooperative funds discontinued.) This leaves 32 stations in active operation and another station is to be installed on Morgan's Creek near Chapel Hill, which will make a total of 33. Within a short time it is expected to again begin using the old station on the Cape Fear River at Fayetteville, N". C. At present automatic gauges are in operation at Buggs Island, Va., Old Gaston, 1ST. C, Ramseur, 1ST. C, and High Rock, 1ST. C. Automatic gauges are shortly to be installed at Chapel Hill, Asheville and Redmond, K C. Besides the work of establishing and maintaining the gauging stations mentioned above, which entailed a great amount of field work, the office has constantly been engaged on computation, compiling and furnishing advance data to parties interested in water powers within the State. As an illustration of the value of stream gauging to a state, the following extract of a letter from the Chief Hydraulic Engineer of the Aluminum Company of America is self-explanatory : It will be quite agreeable to us and I believe it will be advisable for you to state that had it not been for the stream-flow records that have been taken by the Government on the Little Tennessee River and its tributaries since 1898, it is doubtful if our; company would have undertaken this preten-tious development. It would seem to me that in making this statement you will have an opportunity to bring out forcibly the beneficial results that have accrued in this particular case, and use this as an argument for securing larger Government appropriations for studying the stream flow of the rivers throughout the country. I believe the Engineer Department at large appreciates this, but unfortunately we cannot make our Congressmen and Senators view the matter in the proper light. Reconnaissance Trips During the summer of 1921 Major "Warren E. Hall of the TJ. S. Geological Survey and Mr. Thorndike Saville of the State Survey made a detailed reconnaissance of possible water-power sites on the BIEXNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST 49 following streams : Hiwassee, Valley, Tuekaseigee, Scotts Creek, Ocona-lufty, Nantahala, Little Tennessee, French Broad, Upper Catawba, Swannanoa, Linville, North Cove Creek, North and South Toe, Cane, North and South Forks of New River, Upper Yadkin, Elk Creek, Reddies, Roaring, Mitchell, Fisher and Ararat. Copious notes and photographs were taken along all of these streams, and as a result of the investigation the State Geological and Economic Survey has data in hand regarding the best available sites for power development, the approximate amounts of power which can be developed by dams of different heights and the storage possibilities on the various streams. During the summer of 1922 the same parties made a reconnaissance of the following streams : Haw, Deep, Cape Fear, New, Little, Neuse, Swift, Rocky Broad, and Linville rivers. As a result of these reconnaissances the State Survey is now in a much better position to discuss with counties the question of co-operation with the Survey in making a detailed investigation of their undeveloped powers, and are in a much better position to give more or less specific information to manufacturers, industrial interests and municipalities who make inquiry of the Survey as to location of desirable water-power sites. County Water-Power Surveys Surry and Wilkes Counties.—The reports on the water-power sur-vey of Surry and Wilkes counties has been printed and distributed. On account of the delay in getting this report printed and the many requests that were being received for it, several typewritten copies were made of all and portions of this report to satisfy these requests. As a result of this survey, several water powers have already been developed. Clay and Cherokee Counties.—During the summer of 1922 a field party was maintained in Clay and Cherokee counties for investigating the larger water-power resources of the Hiwassee River and its tribu-taries. This survey is attracting a great deal of attention, both locally and from prospective development interests. The result of the work of this party will be published as a report of the Survey. The water-power surveys made of these four counties have been in cooperation with the counties. Special Reports During the biennial period special reports on water powers, water supply, etc., have been made by this Division of the Survey, as follows : 4 50 BIENNIAL KEPORT STATE GEOLOGIST A detailed report lias been made to the industrial agent of the Seaboard Air Line Railway Company relating to the water powers on the Roanoke River near Weldon. A report has been made to the industrial agent of the Southern Railway Company relating to large undeveloped water-power sites in North Carolina. A detailed report has been made to the North Carolina Corpora-tion Commission regarding the water-power situation in North Caro-lina. A letter report was made to Mr. McN. Carr, of Rose Hill, Duplin County, relative to drainage investigations and designs. A special report was made to the President of the University of North Carolina on the development of a water power on Morgan's Creek, Orange County. A special report was made for Hill, Montague of the Roanoke Rapids Power Company on the possible water-power development on the Roanoke River. To the Industrial Development Service of the Southern Railway Company on Bean Shoals. To J. A. Ertle of Middletown, Ohio, on Bean Shoals. To Dr. P. J. Klutz of Hickory on a power site on the Catawba River near Hickory. To Albert Milmow of Charlotte on a proposed power development on the South Branch of the New River near Boone, North Carolina. To S. B. Staton of Tarboro on a sample of sand sent in to be analyzed by the Survey. (See next page.) To Professor Lancaster of State College, a description of the power re-sources of the State. To Burns & McDonnell, Consulting Engineers of Kansas City, a com-prehensive description of the location of developed and undeveloped water powers in North Carolina. To Professor J. A. Switzer, Tennessee Geological Survey, an extended interpretation of certain clauses in the Alabama Power act. At the request of the Board of Health of Wilmington a detailed report was rendered upon the underground and surface water supplies suitable for use by that city, and related to quantity, quality, and distribution. The report was said to have been the best of a number submitted in the past, and was instrumental in bringing about the use of the Northeast Branch of the Cape Fear as the new source of water supply, now under construction. Numerous special reports have been made from time to time dealing with the water-power developments. Requests for information have come from the Southern Railway, cotton manufacturers' associations, chambers of commerce, and others. BIENNIAL EEPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 51 The profile map of the Deep River at Carbonton was re-run in May, on account of a possible discrepancy in our levels affecting certain power interests on the river. The original profile was within the allowable limit of error, and as a result of our report the parties at issue are about to compromise their differences. Stream-Flow Records A compilation of stream-flow records since 1907 has been prepared. There is being added to this report rainfall records and a certain number of duration curves of stream flow. This method of showing stream flow will be found very advantageous for the use of engineers, and has been used in the Survey's reports which give the results of the water-power surveys in the several counties. Weather Bureau Stations Chapel Hill.—In cooperation with the TJ. S. Weather Bureau an evaporation station was established by the Survey at Chapel Hill in March, 1921, and regular observations were begun April 1st. This station comprises standard United States "Weather Bureau equipment for measuring maximum and minimum temperatures, wind velocity, rainfall, and evaporation; and has been located in an enclosure west of the Peabody Building on the University campus. Mount Mitchell.—A station has been established on Mount Mitchell State Park in cooperation with the U. S. Weather Bureau and the Appalachian Experiment Station of the U. S. Forest Service. Sedimentation The silting up of storage reservoirs has become a serious problem in North Carolina, and it is believed that laboratory investigations could be and should be carried out to advantage, and the Survey is planning, in cooperation with the University, to consider the fol-lowing points : (1) The size of silt particles in suspension, determined by formula, and also by direct observation with ultra-microscope. (2) The velocity necessary to transport these particles and keep them in suspension. (3) The time necessary for these particles to settle at full storage in quiet "water. (4) The nitrogen value of the settled silt to be determined by the U. S. Bureau of Soils, with the idea that these silts may have some fertilizer value. (5) The effect of hydrogen on concentration of the water upon the rate of precipitation. 52 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST Operators of hydro-electric plants at North Wilkesboro are now making certain observations under the direction of Mr. Thorndike Saville, one of the hydraulic engineers of the Survey, to determine on a large scale some of the points noted above. "We have been re-quested by the State Board of Health to make these determinations on account of the importance of information relating to the degree of sediment in streams used for water supply purposes. The turbidity is of equal importance on account of the effect on rate of silting of storage reservoirs used in water supply and water-power projects. Municipal Water Supplies The Survey is frequently called upon for advice and suggestions regarding water supplies for municipalities and manufacturing plants, and as a result of its investigations regarding the underground water resources of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions and of the drain-age areas and flow of our various rivers and streams, it is continually in a better position to give such advice and suggestion. Water supply investigations and reports have been made for the towns of Carthage, High Point, Wilmington and Hickory. Such studies relate solely to adequacy of stream flow, and do not overlap but supplement the domain of the private consulting engineer. Cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey The moving of the District Engineer's office of the Water Resources Branch of the U. S. Geological Survey was the beginning of a much closer cooperation between the State and Federal Surveys in investi-gating the water resources of this State. There is maintained at the Asheville office the District Engineer, Major Warren E. Hall; Field Engineer, Mr. L. J. Hall; and Clerk, Mrs. Effie T. Workman. The expenses of this office, which are approximately ten thousand dollars per year, are maintained jointly on a fifty-fifty basis by the two Surveys. The efficiency of this office will be very much increased by the employment of an office engineer, and it is expected that, beginning with the next biennial period, this can be done. Map Exhibits Map exhibits have been prepared showing the location of electric generating stations and high voltage transmission systems in the State. Copies of this exhibit have been requested by the Corporation Commission, by the U. S. Geological Survey at Asheville, and by the Southern Appalachian Water-Power Conference. The latter or-ganization has requested the Survey to prepare a similar map for the BIENNIAL REPOKT STATE GEOLOGIST 53 entire Southern Appalachian region and has appropriated money for this purpose. Utility of Work of Water Resources Division 1.—Stream-Flow Measurements and Publication of Data.—The value of this information to those contemplating water-power developments is very great, and the Survey is constantly receiving requests from engineering firms and power companies for data on stream flow. Ac-curate information as to amount of water available at power sites on streams is absolutely necessary before developments can be made. The longer such data is available the more valuable it becomes. One of the largest companies generating power in this State has asserted that its development would not have been made had not the stream-flow data for several years been available. More gauging stations are needed that information on stream flow may be furnished those con-templating making water-power developments in the State. 2.—'Water-Power Surveys.—There has been a very large demand for copies of the reports on Surry and Wilkes counties from all over the country. The Industrial Development Departments of the South-ern, Seaboard Air Line, and Atlantic Coast Line railroads are constantly sending for reports of this character and placing them di-rectly in the hands of industries which contemplate locating in North Carolina and wish information on undeveloped power sites. Within the State numerous firms make use of the information in these reports, and even before they are issued many requests are filed for advance sheets dealing with specific sites. Interest in the undeveloped water powers of the State is widespread, and the Survey is unable to answer many queries sent it, as the county surveys can be made only as funds are available. Thus far the Survey has been able to do this important work only because the counties themselves have contributed one-half the cost. This means, of course, that some of the more important un-developed water powers of the State are not fully investigated be-cause the counties in which they are situated do not desire to pay for one-half the cost of an investigation and the Survey has not funds sufficient to make independent studies. 3. Statistical Compilations.—The Survey is the only State body issuing authoritative information on developed and undeveloped water power; the output of electric generating stations; the power situation in the State; the economic aspects of hydro-electric development in the State, etc. Such data are eagerly sought by all trade papers and by business and professional interests. They serve to accurately de-pict important elements in the State's industrial progress, and indi- 54 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST cate certain phases of its economic position as compared with other states. k- Special Investigations.—It is of considerable value to the State to have an organization equipped to make investigations and reports upon special technical and engineering matters. Such diverse sub-jects as water-power development, river and harbor improvement, fisheries improvement, water supply, port development, and under-ground waters have all received the attention of the Division during the past two years and been made the object of special study. As the enterprises of the State expand and become more varied, recourse must be had in increasing measure to some qualified engineering authority of the State. Within the fields covered by its activities the Water Resources Division of the State Geological and Economic Survey stands ready to render such service on an impartial and un-biased basis. DRAINAGE AND RECLAMATION DIVISION By JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, Director In addition to the drainage and reclamation of swamp and over-flowed lands of North Carolina, the work of this Division includes the reclamation and economic utilization of cut-over timber lands. Drainage of Swamp Lands The drainage of swamp lands is confined largely to the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina, and since the passage of the "North Carolina Drainage Law" there has been approximately 600,000 acres of land reclaimed. Where formerly these lands were estimated to be worth from 25c to $2 per acre, they are now worth from $50 to $100 or more per acre, and represent a net increase of nearly $30,000,- 000 to -the assets of the State. During the past two years four addi-tional drainage districts have been started in Eastern North Carolina. When completed, these will add about 50,000 acres to the reclaimed land of that part of the State. OTerflowed Lands The reclamation of overflowed lands in the Piedmont section of North Carolina has been as successfully carried on as the drainage of the swamp lands in Eastern North Carolina, the North Carolina Drainage Law being as applicable in the reclamation of the former lands as in the latter. BIENNIAL REPOBT STATE GEOLOGIST 55 During the past two years four new districts have been started in the Piedmont area. The reclamation of these overflowed lands has not only brought into cultivation some of the finest agricultural lands in Piedmont North Carolina, but it has eliminated malaria in those sections. The Survey has assisted in the organization and carrying through of many of these districts, both in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. There is urgent need of the addition of a drainage engineer to the Survey staff, so that the work in connection with reclamation can be carried on continuously and more effectively. The passage by the General Assembly of 1921 of the act amend-ing the North Carolina Drainage Law, in which North Carolina drainage districts are declared to be and do constitute political sub-divisions of the State (Public Laws of 1921, Chapter 7, section 1), has materially facilitated the sale of drainage bonds. Several dis-tricts in the past few years have been handicapped in their development by the difficulty experienced in the sale of their bonds, due to the fact that attorneys for the bonds buyers were uncertain as to whether North Carolina drainage districts were to be considered political subdivisions of the State. North Carolina Drainage Law Many questions relating to the North Carolina drainage law are constantly being referred to the Director, and in his interpretation of the law he has had the most cordial cooperation of Mr. John H. Small, a member of the Board. Drainage engineers and commis-sioners are also seeking advice and suggestions regarding methods of drainage, authority of drainage engineers and commissioners, etc. Early in 1922 the Survey learned that many statements were being made in connection with the nonpayment of drainage assessments, and the idea seemed to be becoming prevalent that there was a great deal of land within drainage districts that was being advertised for sale on account of this nonpayment of drainage assessments. An in-vestigation was immediately begun through inquiry of drainage en-gineers and commissioners and sheriffs of the several counties in which drainage districts are located, with the result that the report was found to be very greatly exaggerated. In fact, considering the num-ber of districts and outstanding bonds, the percentage of districts in which land had to be sold was extremely small. If the officers who are directed by law to make and collect the assessments had done their full duty all the districts would have had a perfect score. In New 56 BIENNIAL REPORT STATE GEOLOGIST Hanover County, Drainage District No. 3, some lands were advertised and sold. In several districts in "Wayne County lands were advertised for sale, but the assessments were paid up and no land sold. One dis-trict in Craven County has had some legal difficulties and the interest and principal on bonds has been held up until the court decision was rendered. No land in Piedmont districts has been reported for sale. Utilization of Eeclaimed Land But little trouble is experienced in bringing into cultivation the reclaimed overflowed lands of the Piedmont area. These are usually held in small areas by a great many people and represent the most valuable agricultural lands of adjacent farms; and are in nearly all cases already cleared. The owners are usually ready to begin cultivation as soon as the land is reclaimed. In the Coastal Plain region, however, where the reclaimed swamp lands are usually held in very large tracts and covered with such timber as is left after logging, there is more or less difficulty ex-perienced in bringing these lands under cultivation. This is the greatest problem now confronting the State in connection with its reclamation work. Although these lands represent the richest agri-cultural lands of North Carolina, it is necessary to thoroughly advertise these lands as to their agricultural value, their location with respect to market, transportation facilities for crops, location with respect to schools and churches, and availability of supplies of pure drinking water. "With additional funds the Survey could be of very great as-sistance in this work by establishing a publicity bureau which by means of newspaper articles, addresses before agricultural conven-tions, agricultural expositions, and similar meetings, could bring be-fore the people of the State and country the extent and value of these reclaimed lands. Care, however, must be taken that in whatever method of advertising is used only accurate information and facts are given. The truth regarding them makes a sufficiently vivid story that will attract home seekers when they realize what Eastern North Carolina can offer them. Drainage Conventions North Carolina Drainage Conventions.—The Survey has cooperated with the North Carolina Drainage Association in holding two drain-age conventions, one on April 12 and 13, 1921, at Elizabeth City, and the other April 28 and 29, 1922, at Goldsboro. As a result of the conferences of the Elizabeth City convention considerable progress was made in the reclamation of certain swamp BIENNIAL KEP0RT STATE GEOLOGIST 57 lands in Pasquotank County, and in obtaining closer cooperation between interested parties throughout the State in the development and utilization of the black lands of the Coastal Plain region. During the convention the Director of the Survey had a conference with drainage engineers of the State, at which various questions were discussed relating to the drainage of the swamp lands, in what way the Survey could be of more assistance to the engineers, what was interfering with the organization and completion of certain districts, etc. As a result of this conference th |
OCLC number | 10739205 |