The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-08-20
From the Asheville News 5gtAsa
FRUIT IN WESTERN NORTH CARO-
s-~ ~ -Es -e LIMA. s1s@-s q

There is not, perhaps, in the world, the same
extent of territory over which there is so gener-
ally diffused so many, and such excellent varie-
ties of all kinds Of fruits, as may be found On
| North Carolina. From the mountain elevations
of the Blue Ridge country 20 the extreme East
ern part of the State, or Lake Mattamuskeet an
almost endless variety of native apples OF the
finest size, flavor. and such good keepers as can
not be surpassed anywhere, may be found. The
peach is as fine, and almost as commonly found
of superior quality, as the apple, aud 10 many
localities in Western North Carolina, It Is almost
exempt from injury by frost. The two most re-
markabie localities of this kind are Tryon Noun
tain, in Polk county, and the South Mountains
in Burke, where the crop has not failed for many
years past There are Others in Jackson, Macon,
and in this county; and, in fact, throughout the
country West of the Blue Ridge.
What is therefore precarious crop elsewhere,
North and South upon judiciously selected situ-
ations in Western North Carolina may be re-
garded as certain. Only Rail Roads are needed
to render such localities invaluable for the cult.
vation of the Peach. t@t =
Upon the summit Of the lohiest mountains in
this region, grows thornless Blackberry, equal
in size to the cultivated sorts, so much esteemed
North, and of as good flavor. A raspberry Is
also found without thorns-with different flow
berry-larger, of as good flavor and resembling
in color and general appearance Of the fruit the
Antwerp raspberry. Many other indigenous
small fruits are found, of superior quality, which
might no doubt, be greatly improved by cultiva-
ton The cranberry which is proftably cultiya.
ted North and East, grows in great abundance ia
Mitchell, Wautauga, and other naountaincounties,
and would, no doubt, pay well, if introduced into
general cultivation. svesz
The three best wine grapes in America-the
Catawba, the Lincoln, and the Scuppernong-
are natives of North Carolina = Is ~
The best authenticated account of the place OF
its nativity, fixes the origin Of the Catawba Grape
about nine miles from AsheviIle; and the concur
ring testimonies of amateur cultiyators, as well 40
professional nursery men in the South, agree that
the best known variety of the Catawba, is aseed-
ling propagated by DIR. Hardy, of this place, on
the farm where he formerly lived about two
miles South of Asheville. About the commences
ment of the war, several gentlemen in this pavt
of the State, began to take interest in the cul-
tvation of the vine. 1t was also undertaken by
Mr. Peak, on the Tryon mountain, In Polk county,
and think, by DR.. Christy of Cherokee county,
pretty large scale No other attempts, ex-
cept in small way, as experiments, are known
to US; but in every instance where the attempt
has been made, the growth, fruiting, and exernp.
tOH lrOul disease ol Tue vines, mas Oeeu satSIac-
tory. A good many years ago, the grape was
cultivated and wine made at probably two points
in Rutherford county. What the quality Of the
wine was, We have never been able to ascertain.
Mr. Slas Mcdowell Of Macon county, has, for
many years past devoted much time and atten-
ton to everything connected with fruit culture. He
has rropagate6 and made known number Of
very fine varieties Of native apples, and deserves,
perhaps, more credit than any one West Of the
Blue Ridge, for his disinterested and intelligent
zeal in bringing before the public the great fruit
resources of this section of the State. Latterly,
we understand, he has made some valuable dis
coveries of native grapes of fine quality. This Ia
step in the right direction; for while we have
reason to believe from observation and expert
ment, that the Catawba, originating here, will
do better in this soil and climate, than elsewhere;
yet it is liable to disease everywhere, and we do
not doubt that its place may be supplied by
other native varieties, which, if not in all respects
equal to it, will have the advantage of producing
more regular and certain crops. a,