The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-09-21
SOILS.

SIRs: II seems to the writer that the ques-
tion relative to the mineral and agricultural
resources of the South western counties is,
what are probabilities Of the future in these
respects, aud not what they are now; for in
a country where the inducements for devel-
opment and Improvement are limited, it can
not be expected that remarkable and inviting
prospects can be shown Immediately upon
the surface. Both mining and agricultural
interests are slowly developed. and it is on
y upon and by encouragements which mar
kets and profits hold out that men are ndnc-
ed to act and hence, when market facilities
are provided, an entire change in the feelings
Of community take place. which result in
enterprise which either bring to light MINER
al resources. or lead to a systematic and pro.
fitable husbandry.
In the Southwestern counties. agriculture
has to contend with the disadvantages OF dis.
tant markets, where intercourse is difficult
and expensive; and hence, the inducements
to labor energeticaliy for large crops are too
small to move a community, though indiyid-
ual exertiUns in a few instances are met with
which have resulted in proving the capacity
ot the soil for the production Of great crops.
When all things are taken into consideration,
which affect the capacity Of soil. climate,
composition and depth, few sections cen CON-
pare with the Southwestern counties OF North
Carolina. II is true il is studded with noun
tains. but they are clothed with great depth
of soil, and bear the finest and most valuable
forests Of hard aud soft woods or timbers in
the world. Nothing surprises traveller
more than the extreme depth oi soil and the
massive timber tree which Il supports, from
The valley 10 the SUBMITS oi the Bilsam and
Nantahala Mountains.
But the VIZ ter does not propose to speak
particular Of the agricultural interests now,
neither indeed upon the mineral interests,
except in few particulars. OF the mineral
interests. they may be dnit.el into two
branches o. industry. ist. Tie interest
connected with the production Of metal. I'd,
That connected with aud existing in the
rocks proper. OF the Western counties
which are destined to furnish metallic mate
rial. Jackson county Is rich IN copper, while
Mscon aud Cherokee will produce the most
iron. The Savannah copper mines 0f the ra~ee
mountains. those Of the Collowhee aud Way
yehut-te. are sufficiently developed to ena-
Bile the miner 20 base safe npinIon, and en-
terrain the expectation that they are destined
to become profitable mines. provided a way
TO market Is opened.
The bnmatitic iron ores 0f the Nanlahala
are certainly inexhauslibie beds, whpse cha
,acter for goodness are not exceeded by the
best ores of Salisbury. Connecticut, which
has long been celebrated for its iron.
0f the rDcks Of these counties we NAV feel
assured Of the existence Of ine marble, suit.
able for statuary and other purposes for which
marbles are employed. The mpst important
variety is the clear ilesh-colored marble Of
Naniabala. Which j. really unique Tor the de-
lieacy Of its tints. .5zas #-es
The same rsgion furnishes, also, hue roof,
ing slate. OF a blue color. Plates OF slate
may be obtained. five aud six feet in length
aud two feet w,de. IL splits with ease and
with a perfect plane. The quartz rock oi
the Saniahsla are suitable for mill stones,
aud besldes this variety there is a species ni
porous chalce,lopy, which resembles tae rom.
mon French Burlh stone. We have whet.
stone, milestone aud grind-stone grlts; lire
stone and rock suitable Tor glass, aud ~ Ma
con county the finest Porcelain clay. TIE
/ foregoing embrace same Of the important
mineral products which are Inexhaustiblc,
but which, under existing circumstances, are
nearly useless but mhlch will become Of i'm
mense value when cheap aud commo,lious
way is opened to the markets oi the world.
am, gentlemen. truly yours.
Il. EMHONS, State Geologist.
i Franklin, August -, 1850.