PHYSICAL CONDITIONS. 17 



upon its crest, except in the southwestern portion of the State, where 

 it expands into a relatively broad plateau. This same plateau 

 extends across Xorth Carolina, having its western boundary within 

 the borders of eastern Tennessee. The Blue Ridge Mountains, 

 which extend nearly the entire length of this region, with their 

 foothills and spurs, constitute its eastern boundary. The range is 

 more or less broken by spurs, ridges, detached knobs, and foothills 

 having various altitudes. The highest point of this range in Vir- 

 ginia is "Flat Top" (Peaks of Otter), in Bedford County, with an 

 elevation of 3,993 feet. (See PL I.) There are several other peaks 

 having altitudes considerably above the general average of the 

 range. In this portion of the region the investigations were con- 

 fined principally to the eastern watershed of the range. 



In Xorth Carolina, with its boundaries extending from the Blue 

 Ridge to the Smoky Mountains, the Appalachian Mountain system 

 reaches its culmination. This plateau is divided by cross ridges, 

 thus making smaller plateaus, each bordered by mountains and 

 having its own system of drainage. Numerous peaks extending 

 far above the general elevation of the mountains characterize the 

 topography. There are 43 peaks within the State, each having 

 an altitude exceeding 6,000 feet, including Mount Mitchell, with 

 an elevation of 6,711 feet, which is the highest point east of the 

 Rocky Mountains. There are a large number having altitudes only 

 a few hundred feet less than this. The extremely rugged character 

 of this section of the region is therefore apparent. 



In South Carolina the Blue Ridge region is confined to a compara- 

 tively narrow strip following the northwestern boundary of the State. 

 This is less rugged than the corresponding section of Xorth Carolina, 

 but includes several peaks of considerable altitude, the highest of 

 which is Mount Pinnacle, having an elevation of 3,436 feet. 



In northern Georgia the Blue Ridge region comprises the southern 

 extremities of the Appalachian system. It is less rugged than the 

 more northern portions of the system and naturally of lesser altitude, 

 as it sinks into the lower levels of central Georgia. 



On the map (PL V) the section indicated by vertical hatching repre- 

 sents mountain conditions and comprises the Blue Ridge Range with 

 its spurs and detached knobs. The elevation is from 1,000 to 1,500 

 feet on its eastern border, as previously indicated, to 4,000 feet, though 

 this elevation is seldom found in this region except in Xorth Carolina. 

 The elevation of the western border along the adjacent region is con- 

 sidered to correspond in elevation essentially to the eastern border. 

 The soils are variable, representing several types, but as a rule they 

 are rather loose and friable and well adapted to the growing of fruit. 



It is in the foothills and on the lower slopes of the Blue Ridge, 

 especially in the Virginia and North Carolina sections, that the fre- 

 57208— Bui. 135—08 2 



