Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1858-08-24
The KanaWhaI Valley and Ito Frib-
ninfy rUnutfy. l5Et
Nh. q

No. g. IL,
| In No. / Of this series, We briefly d vel
upon die general topography Of this sec
zion Of. TransnAlleghsny Virginia. ane
stated. in general terms, that the Kama
wha Valley proper. was not only one B
the most beautiful valleys the sun eve
.sl,ene upon. but that i was, also. one 3
the most prolific. We also stated tha
the country tributary 10 this Valley, was
broken and hill in some places almost
mountainous--but that these hills were
arabic 10 their very summit, producing
all the staples common to the Middle
States These hills until recently. have
been but very little settled, and are now,
comparatively sparsely inhabited. One
reason of this. fs.4athe Talley presented
/ 30 many attractions, that all who could
settled ID !: and another reason 10. these
hills present their toughest. most forbid
ding aspect, along the boundaries Of the
Valley, AID those who could not be &C
scommodated ID the Valley, passed on
% other yallies. little thinking what
fine table land farms were Just back
sof these mural-liks cliffs. and what
riches wore ensconced in the bowels
sof these same hills-5hills that could be
reliayed of4thaiys ninArals frAasurea = with
4 put interfering with he farming operations
in The rich surface soil.
y Unlike manyIhill-sides, where south
sefn or eastern exposure in uonsidered al
desideratum, 4 northern hillside Is here
deemed preferable, as she farmers find
! the soil On The north side to be much
richer, sdseppr, and moister, and, there
fore, more productive. There are, how
ever, but few spots, regardless Of expos
nre, but will produce remunerative crops.
! t.ala their natural state, these hills are
bsOvered with 4 dense forest, consisting
mostly Of huge white, black, and chest
oaks chestnut hickory, black walnut,
Eaakternut on white walnut. three or four
siststies Of The poplar, consisting Of the.
ait den. tulip, wild cucumber, DC. which
grow ,r to very large size, (supplying,
sIfosily the place Of the pine and hemlock
! n HE Northern States, locust, beech.
gpfa, q species of the magnolia. persinl-
sfgpn and w.pawft &e.1 DC. of
n l,,ese, the white pax, Is, perhaps. Of the
most value, being extensively required
n the manufacture of the great quantity
s3sf barrels used III the salt BUSINESS
Quantities Of oak logs and lumber are
also shipped 70 Cincinnati and Southern
markets, The varieties Of poplar are
also extensively shipped, ia logs, o. as |
manufactured lumber, to the above mar
kets, Quantities of cbestnut-oak barki
are shipped fot tanning purposes, al re-
n mllu y prices, and much more might
Fbe. The hickories on our mountain lands
grow extremely tall. and straight. and are
very tough, and well adapted for manu-.
fffadc4tsnpring purposes.
III The oak, chestnut and beech trees, az |
ford immense quantities Of a mast, ), |
which furnishes sustenance to the swim
ish multitude, . "a which they grow fiji i
requiring rig 81 but corn enough in the Fall to
harden their aesh, and too often. they do |
not get that--a method of fatteaing, that
New Workers and Eastern State farmers /
know but little about. So much for the |
hills as we find them. 1t is somewhat
tedious process 70 clear them, and sub
due The soil for cultivation, but il Is al
process that can be made remunerative
that will more that Pay the cost Of the
land, and Of the clearing. ]. The streams
are % numerous,t that but few spots are
~ badly situated that logs, lumber, slaves |.
and heading, chair stuff. wagon hubs,
spokes. and the great variety Of articles
that can be manufactured q intthe rough, 4
cannot be gotten 70 marke. some time
during the year, and turned into cash, At
prices that will payr There are thou
aaRds and thousands OF acres, situated
iipoh our most retto54e creeks, which cam
htfaEfhad Mt q very low price. lie process
flIclearing which, would put money mi
VIZ purchasers pockst, and leave him a /
cod farm besides.
fhe soil Of these iilss i generally 4 san
Eaa slay; sometimes astiH clay, with butt
iiif4s sand but this % not often the case.
aEia afaponderating rock h This section
il aAgandstone'; ind the aclion Of water,
sfssefs tofhe sir, ana different kintIs oif
. ssion. hare drambied these rocks,
fAspg them % mix with the origin;lf
s sas Z decayiag vegetable nsatier tlius
hsss mo streag,1ish soii. ,Alsiioaghh
-IIR. JOHN
u Eahwa I,.H -.