28 Account of the Kaatskill Mountains. 
th. The summer is usually a little shorter, and vegeta- 
ton several weeks later ;. but when spring commences, it is 
more rapid than near the Hudson. ‘The winters are so se- 
vere, and the frost so late, that peaches and_ several other 
fruits which grow luxuriantly near their base, will not ar- 
rive at perfection at the height of 2,000 feet. The fruits 
which grow here, as well as the vegetables and grain, are 
from three to four weeks later, in coming to perfection, than 
near the village. 
The atmosphere o of this mountain is very salubrious, as 
a current is blowing through some of the ravines, or from 
some of the peaks, ‘during most of the year. This ventila- 
tion during the months of July and August, renders these 
mountains a fine retreat from the intense heat which is fre- 
quently experienced at their base. ‘This salubrity is so 
great, notwithstanding the intense cold experienced during 
the winter season, that between January Ist, and the 28th of 
November, there had been but three deaths i in a mpapianoe 
of one hundred families. 
Wild Bega 
These mountains abound with many wild beasts, some of 
which during the winter season, when they find it difficult to 
procure food, are dangerous. Bears* are often met with 
in the wild passes and cloves of the mountains. These an- 
imals are heated down by the inhabitants of the town, and. 
only when exasperated, or destitute of food, will they ven- 
ture to attack a man. ota are seldom seen at ae 
_ time, though a few years since, they were numerous. 
are very ferocious, and are not dispatched without great aii 
culty, ' The inhabitants relate to the stranger who visits this 
mountain, such heroic achievements in Panther hunting, 
as, if true, ought to entitle the victor to such a niche in the. 
temple of fame, as General Putnam acquired by his contest 
with the wolf. Deer are found here in great numbers, and 
are hunted at certain seasons of the year, but they are less 
numerous than formerly. To prevent their extermination 
s state, the Legislature have enacted a law, making it 
a penal to kill them during the summer months. 
* The guide who accompanied us to Stony Clove, has, since that time, 
as Ihave been informed, awe in atrap placed at the entrance ort this 
clove, three bears and a wild ¢ 
