154 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



ridges,' or * pine barrens.' In the lower parts of the 

 forests everywhere are ' evergreen or laurel swamps,' 

 and along the rivers and brooks there are very gen- 

 erally ' cane-marshes,' among which must be counted 

 the ' savannahs,' very low tracts subject to overflow, 

 where only canes, rush, and sedge come up, but trees 

 and bush very rarely. Farther inland, especially above 

 the falls of the Roanoke, Tar, and Neus rivers, the 

 country has a different look, swelling into hills and 

 mountains ; the valleys are well watered and rich in 

 grass ; the soil is fatter and more productive ; the air 

 wholesomer; oaks, walnuts, and other leaf-trees push 

 out the pines ; and these parts are inferior in beauty 

 and fertility to none in America. The pleasant banks 

 of the Dan, the Yadkin, the Holston, and other rivers, 

 are set with numerous plantations and dwellings. 

 Pitch and tar-making are no longer followed, because 

 there are other kinds of trees there, and the soil being 

 better gives guaranty of heavier yields in tobacco, 

 hemp, wheat, and corn. In this part of the province 

 there are already many little country-towns, such as 

 Salisbury, Hillsborough, Campbellton, and others; 

 plans have been made and good sites chosen for many 

 new towns, and the country now once more at peace, 

 these will hasten to arise. The Moravian Brethren have 

 notable settlements at Bethania, Bethabara, and Salem, 

 and here too are distinguished above the other in- 

 habitants for their industry and diligence in agricul- 

 ture and the crafts. A service which is recognized by 

 most of their fellow-citizens but tempts very few of 

 them to imitation. 



Among the inhabitants, particularly of the back 



