223 



clear, cool springs and rivulets of water comprise everything- to be 

 desired in making np a quadrupedal paradise. 



The lateness of the season may be inferred from the fact that straw- 

 berries were in bloom June 9, and the fruit does not ripen till the latter 

 part of July. 



We were fortunate, after enjoying a few hours of line weather and 

 extensive prospect, to accomplish the descent just in time to escape one 

 of those drenching rains so common on these high exposures. 



In the lower valleys there is a considerable scope of tillable land com- 

 posed of a rich soil similar in its general character to the celebrated 

 Virginia Yalley. It is well adapted to wheat, corn, grass, and ordinary 

 field crops, the differences of soil and exposure indicating the special 

 adaptation to x)articular crops. Grass is most luxuriant on limestone 

 soils, but in the more broken districts is apt to be killed by the pro- 

 longed summer heat. In approaching the higher mountains the valleys 

 contract, and steep timbered ridges extend to the edge of the swift- 

 Howing watercourses. Here the farming lands are limited to small 

 basins, significantly termed "coves," and occupy the less abrui)t sloi^es 

 which have been cleared of the natural forests. As the elevation in- 

 creases there is greater coolness of the atmosphere, more frequent rains, 

 and the seasons are favorable to the hardier varieties of small grain, 

 potatoes, and northern fruits. In these mountain districts cattle-raising 

 is the prominent branch of industry, and a systejn of roving pasturage 

 is adopted as the season advances, gradually ascending to the higher 

 grassy summits of the "bald mountains," to descend again to the low- 

 lands with the recurrence of frost and snow. 



Hogs, though of a very inferior breed, are raised at little expense, be- 

 ing allowed to run through the woods, where they feed on wild roots, 

 and later in the fall fatten on acorn mast, chestnuts, and beech nuts. 



The country throughout is well adapted to the growth of fruit, par- 

 ticularly apples, which everywhere look thrifty and produce largely, 

 the surplus yield, for want of a convenient market, being generally dis- 

 tilled into apple brandy. Wild fruits and nuts are abundant in their 

 season, and add their material attractions to the picturesque landscape. 



It is the inexhaustible timber product of this region that will eventu- 

 ally constitute the main source of its wealth. Kowhere else are to be 

 found such magnificent forests of sugar mai)le, beech, chestnut, tuhp 

 tree, oak, birch, «S:c. Mile after mile in almost v»^earisome succession 

 tower aloft these monarchs of the vroods. Pine, hemlock, and cedar 

 occur mostly in scattered groves, indicating generally a sandstone sub- 

 stratum. Locust trees abound in certain sections, and the wild cherry 

 attains an unusual size. A tree of the latter was i^ointed out to me 

 having a diameter at base of nearly five feet, and a height of not less 

 than one hundred feet ; still thrifty and apparently sound to the heart. 



In this connection, the prevalence of hard-wood growth, together 

 with abundant water-power, and extensive beds of iron ore, plainly in- 

 dicate the direction which future industry wiU take, aided by the 

 construction of railroads, in de^'eloping a country distinguished for 

 salubrity, beautiful scenery, and all the desirable accessories of civil- 

 ized life. 



C. C. PAERYj 



Bota7iist. 



Hon. Horace C apron, 



CommissiQner. 



