SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN KEGION. 



139 



Virginia flow in either a northeast or southwest direction 

 along the strike of the rocks, and at places give rise to con- 

 ditions favorable to water-power development. This is 

 the case for the most part where a change in the direction 

 of flow causes a change in the character of the rock in the 

 stream bed. 



In northern Georgia different conditions seem prevalent; cJ'cade's^in 'the 

 the general course of the stream is southeast or southwest, S^°h^J''s(mlhera 

 and man}' shoals and cascades are to be found. Some of the A-ppaiachiaus,. 

 cascades are of great height, and large water powers could 

 be easil}^ and cheaply developed. Notable among these are 

 Tallulah Falls (see PI. XXVIII), where the descent is 335 

 in about 4,000 feet: Duke's Creek Falls, Minnehaha Falls, 

 and Annie Ruby Falls, where the descent in each case is 

 about 300 feet within a short distance. These are found 

 on rather small streams, but illustrate the difference in the 

 prevalent condition. 



As before stated, this part of northern Georgia embraces oi^^m&nuifAni- 

 the headwaters of three great drainage systems, the Coosa, ingr enterprises, 

 the Chattahoochee, and the Savannah. At various points 

 along their courses all of these streams possess magnificent 

 water powers which present conditions favorable to devel- 

 opment, and which at some future time will be made to 

 supply the varied and growing industries of the nearby 

 region with the power necessary for their continuance and 

 growth. Any impairment of these powers by diminution 

 of the low- water flow of these streams will most assuredly 

 work great injury in future years to the industrial welfare 

 of the region. 



The States through which flow the streams rising in the 

 region of the proposed Appalachian Forest Reserve have 

 for many years past been devoted mainly to agricultural 

 pursuits; but within recent years a great awakening has 

 come, and a tendency to manufacture the raw material at 

 home has become manifest. Already the results are to be 

 seen in the increased prosperity of the region, resulting 

 from the development of diversified industries. 



This tendency is growing with great rapidity, and while 

 its beneficial effects will be felt most in the section where 

 it has appeared, it can not fail to have a considerable influ- 

 ence on the prosperity of the entire country, for pros- 

 perity comes to those who produce sooner than to those 

 who consume — to the seller who can supply the commer- 

 cial needs of the world, rather than those who feel the want. 



