OCR Text |
Show addition, the hydroelectric capacity of the Alabama- Coosa River, when developed, will provide abun- dant power to stimulate further growth of industry throughout the area. Intensive use of the land resources will bring in- creased production of forest and farm crops and higher incomes for the people who remain on farms. By putting lands to their highest use and by im- proving management practices, crop and pasture yields can be materially increased. Corn yields can be stepped up from 15 to 50 bushels an acre through crop rotation, use of hybrid seed, and heavier seeding and fertilizer application. By good management, the carrying capacity of pastures can be increased from three to five times. The yields of wheat and oats can be doubled. Much of the land in the southeastern United States was originally forest land and is still best adapted to forest use. This region, of which the Alabama-Coosa Basin is a part, is one of the prin- cipal forest regions of the country. The extensive forest area, rapid forest growth, and location near markets, are factors which make this region respon- sible for meeting a major part of the Nation's timber needs. The present rate of timber growth in the Ala- bama-Goosa Basin can be tripled, in time, if the growth capacity of the land is fully utilized. The forests of the basin can grow an average of 300 board-feet of saw timber per acre per year. This resource offers a principal means of meeting the problem of low rural income in the area. Farm woodlands, if well managed, can be far more pro- ductive than they are now, thus stepping up rural income directly. In addition, a more abundant forest resource will support more forest and wood- using industries, and make possible more nonfarm employment. 530 |