50 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



temperature of the year 'equally removed from the chilliness of spring 

 and the sultry heats of the last two summer months. But as the altitudes 

 of the latter observations are not given, they present us nothing definite or 

 tangible. A smart walk of a few moments up or down a mountain side, 

 woul 1 carry one through a variation of temperature amounting to a degree. 

 By the rule of Professor Leslie,* commonly adopted, 300 feet of elevation 

 diminishes the temperature 1 ; but the experiments of Humboldt, Gay- 

 Lu9sac,-and various other observers, have shown that this cannot be relied 

 upon. One degree is usually equivalent to a greater ascent. Mr. Coffin 

 (in the paper before alluded to) deduces the conclusion that in the State 

 of New-York, the ascent necessary to decrease the temperature 1 is 350 

 feet. Taking the mean of the range of temperature of Asheville, as stated 

 by Mr. B. it gives 77^ as the average summer temperature of that place, 

 which, as will appear in the table below, is about 10 higner and warmer 

 than that of New- York for the same season and year, (excepting on the 

 beds of two rivers the Hudson and Mohawk.) Applying the New- York 

 rule to the region of Asheville, it would require, then, an elevation of some- 

 thing like 3,500 feet on the mountain sides above that place, to equalize 

 the temperature with that of the greater portion of New- York. 



To show the entire accuracy of the subjoined table of temperatures, I 

 would remark that it is founded on the Annual Reports of the Academies 

 to the Regents of the University. The observations are therefore made 

 by correct instruments,! on fixed conditions, and by scientific men. I have 

 selected the points indicated in reference solely to a fair latitudinal and 

 geographical distribution over the State ;t and to enable you to find them 

 on. the map, the name of the place, instead of the Academy, is given : 



TABLE NO. 6. 



The five last named places are in " Western New-York." 



But there is one fact stated by Mr. Buckley, in relation to the lofty 

 mountains of North Carolina, which, irrespective of all thermometrical 

 observations, demonstrates conclusively, to my mind, their adaptation to 

 sheep husbandry. This fact is, that white clover grows (of course, spon- 

 taneously,) on them. Or perhaps I should rather say, that the mountains 

 themselves become thermometers, their vegetation registering, by a well 

 settled natural law, their temperate climate. Says Malte Brun : 



" Under the burning climate of the torrid zone, we have only to ascend the mountains, to 

 enjoy the fruits and flowers of the temperate regions. Tournetbrt found at the base of Mount 



* Prof. L.'s rule, however, was only made applicable by him to tropical regions. 

 t Half, probably, of the thermometers in common use are imcciirHtc ! 



J For the records of temperatures given, see Report of the Regents, 1843, p. 240. For latitudes and ele 

 rations of the Academies, see Report of 1838, pp. 212 to 215, and map 



