HARDWOOD RECORD 



31 



Appalachians. As a matter of fact it is the richest region in flora 

 and fauna in the United States, if not in the -vrorld. The tree growth 

 which ranges here to perfection involves nearly all the varieties grow- 

 ing in the northern regions of the United States, all those growing in 

 the southern states, save cypress, and several valuable kinds which 

 are peculiar to this region in commercial size. 



Climate 



The climate of this elevated region has been described as being 

 similar to that of northern Virginia and of southern-central Pennsyl- 

 vania, with the notable difference that the temperature, especially 

 on southeastern slopes where it is somewhat regulated by oceanic 

 air current, is more uniform. In the central and northwestern por- 

 tions it is more variable. Destructive winds are rare, and much 

 less frequent than in the northern states. 



The temperature from three to five thousand feet altitude usually 

 ranges in summer between fifty and seventy-five degrees Fahren- 

 heit, and in winter between ten and forty-five, varying considerably 

 between the northeastern and southwestern ends, and the northwestern 

 and southeastern sides of the mountains. The annual precipitation, 

 according to the United States Weather Bureau, runs from forty to 

 fifty inches on the northwestern slopes and sixty to seventy inches 

 on the southeastern slopes. It is probable that near the crests of the 

 mountains, where no records have been kept, the rainfall is even 



TYPICAL CHEERY GROWTH, EAST TENNESSEE 



TYPICAL WHITE I'INE GROWTH, NORTH CAROLINA 



greater. In some seasons rainless periods occur in spring and fall, 

 and were it not for the heavy forest cover, complaints pi droughts 

 would be quite as frequent as they are in other sections. Uusually 

 the atmosphere is tempered throughout the summer with frequent 

 showers of short duration. It must be recalled that aU the regions 

 of the United States between the Ohio river and the Atlantic and 

 Gulf coasts are affected by the rainfall in these mountains. 



Scenery 



The scenery of this region is more striking because of its marked 

 contrast to the surrounding lowlands. From the escarpments of the 

 highlands may be obtained views of the broad expanse of timber-clad 

 mountain tops and valleys, and even of the plains beyond. Along the 

 winding mountain roads and trails are seen cozy coves and moun- 

 tain sides under indifferent cultivation, but from the summits of the 

 remoter "balds" may be viewed vast stretches of unbroken, billowy 

 forest lands. This is not an Alpine region, neither does it rival the 

 Eocky mountains, the Cascades or the Alps in grandeur, but it has a 

 peculiar and distinctive scenic attraction. The writer has visited 

 Yellowstone Park, the Grand Canyon of Arizona and the battlements 

 of the i?ockies, but for pure air, for sparkling springs, for the 

 music of running waters, and for picturesque beauty that appeals to 

 the senses, he gi^'es the palm to the lower Appalachians. 



While a few health and pleasure seekers visit these mountains now. 



