118 



SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REGION. 



In addition to the cold which it directly produces, the 

 altitude also affects the climate of this region ver}^ decid- 

 edly through the precipitation. The prevailing winds of 

 the region are southwesterly and are heavily laden Avith 

 moisture derived from the Gulf of Mexico. As these 

 winds rise over the mountain slopes they become colder 

 and less able to retain moisture, which comes within the 

 mountain's grasp as rain or snow. The birth of shreds of 

 cloud in the uprising wind and their union into masses 

 that shroud the mountains can be seen on ever}' hand. 

 Through them come glimpses of peak and forest, in a soft- 

 ness and beaut}^ far be3^ond words. The direct effect of 

 altitude in chilling the winds is assisted by the cooling 

 effect of the almost universal forests. The forests in turn 

 are fostered by the rainfall and humidity, and the two 

 processes go hand in hand. In the winter much of the 

 precipitation is in the form of snow. This is protected 

 from melting b}^ the forest cover and accumulates so as to 

 mantle the ground for weeks, or even months. In this 

 way a great store of moisture is retained and finds its way 

 into the soil, to be absorbed in part by the forests when 

 growth begins in the spring. Snow sometimes falls on 

 the higher mountains by the first of October, and the last 

 snow may remain until the middle of March. 



Between the temperature of the highest tops and that of 

 the larger and lower valleys iticluded in the mountam 

 region there is a great difference. This is expressed m 

 nature most prominently hy the great variety of trees, 

 shrubs, and plants. There is probabl}^ no region in the 

 United States containing more species than this, which is 

 appropriately termed the "botanist's paradise." During 

 Ma3^ and June it becomes a vast flower garden of unrivaled 

 rarity and beauty. Rhododendron and azalea bloom mile 

 on mile, or a score ^f blossoms are trodden at a step. In 

 autumn the purple haze and the blaze of color in the foliage 

 form a panorama that can not be sui'passed. The amount 

 of the forest is quite as striking as its variety, and is one of 

 the most impressive features of the mountains. Owing to 

 the warmth and humidity of the atmosphere the individ- 

 ual trees attain great size. White pines reach heights of 

 200 feet and poplars are 25 feet in girth. Thus, the exist- 

 ence of the forest cover as a whole and of the individual 

 species that are favored by colder climates is dependent 

 upon the altitude, which cools the air and brings moisture 

 to the surface of the earth. Its favorable situation with 



