C EAST TENNESSEE. 



The Soil. 



It would be uncandid to assume that the soil of East Tennesse, as a 

 whole, is equal to the virgin soil of most of the Western States. But 

 that our natural advantages as a ivhole, are equal to those of any other 

 State we do boldly assert. 



The large number of rivers entering the eastern i)art of the State, and 

 flowing down the valley, sometimes for over a hundred miles in almost 

 parallel lines, has cut East Tennessee into many long valleys, some of 

 them, such as the New Market and the Sweet Water valleys, are from 

 five to eight miles in width, and from twenty-five to fifty miles in length. 

 The soil in these valleys was originally of the finest quality, consisting of 

 a rich clay loam, and resting on a red clay subsoil. By long unskillful 

 cultivation, and by shallow plowing, these fine soils are reduced in produc- 

 tive capacity. All they need to restore them is clover, generous treat- 

 ment, and an alternation of crops. 



Along the banks of all our rivers and many of om' creeks, there are 

 bottom lands equal in quality originally, to the best lands on the Missis- 

 sippi or Missouri, without the marshes, malaria, or mosquitoes. The 

 average yield of these lands, in corn, with good cultivation, is from fifty 

 to one hundred bushels per acre. Owing to the length and great number of 

 our streams, the quantity of this bottom land is very considerable, some- 

 times it spreads out from the river from one to two miles, and bodies of 

 many hundreds of acres can be had in a compact form. 



From Kingston, eastward t« the Virginia line, it is nearly or quite as 

 healthy on the streams as on the rolling lands. Through two-thirds of 

 the entire length of East Tennessee, the currents move rapidly and the 

 water is therefore pure and sparkling. Up towards their sources the 

 mountain trout abound- All over this region, and on almost eveiy hun- 

 dred acres, pure, bold and limpid springs gush forth from valley or hill 

 side. Running water can be had on nearly every farm and often in every 

 field. 



The remaining land not already described consists of rolling, hilly and 

 mountainous sections, with innumerable small valleys and coves. In these 

 lands gravel, limestone and flint are found. Limestone indeed is found 

 nearly everywhere, sand in some places. All the rolling lands seem to 

 have a pecuhar adaptation for wheat, as well as for clover. This is espe- 

 cially so of the upper half of East Tennessee. Besides wheat, clover, 

 corn, oats, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, timothy, herd grass and buck- 

 wheat do well on these lands. 



Prof Safibrd of Cumberland University, and formerly State Geologist, 

 says in his report in reference to these rolling lands : 



"The soil and agricultural features of the valley of East Tennessee, hke 

 its rocks, are remarkably various. * * The numerous and delightful 



