The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-23
to that which is of the great

the most Valuable features. VIC have
black, Spanish, white and post oaks
in theyallies, and chestnut oak upon
the ridges. and mountains. These
timbers yield the best bark for tam
ming purposes. But We, also have
the spruce or. hemlock, as yielding a
valuable bark in tanneries.S we also
have chestnut in great abundance;
and, as O valuable timber, we have
the hickory, which is large, and
grows to perfection. This timber,
with railroad, would be valuable
for the manufacture of wheel car
riages. We also have the white pine;
and in Haywood, the fir tree, used
in bucket factories. In some of our
mountain coves, we have the finest of
black locust in great abundance.
Our furniture timbers are, however,
Of the greatest value. We have the
wild cherry, the black walnut, the
maple and black birch. I measured
q wild cherry, during my survey, that
was thirteen feet in the girth, and
about seventy feet to the first limb,
with remarkably straight trunk.
also measured a black walnut twelve
feet in the girth, and above seventy
five feet to the first limb. 1 have
seen very large naples, of which 1
did not take the dimension. The
birch also attains good size for lum-
Der. With railroad, cabinet shops
might be erected on the road. I
cannot, however, dwell longer upon
this topic.
In regard to the adaptation of the
soil and climate OF this section to
fruit growing, I could say much, but
must necessarily contine myself to
few facts which appear as practical
results of the adaptation to which
you refer. must say, however, that
the generality of our uplands are
either composed of or rest upon stiff,
alluminons clays, and I have never
seen section in which the soil upon
the mountains was SO rich and fertile
to the very SUBMITS. This soil, with
our peculiar climate, produces the
apple tree in great luxuriance. I
measured in Haywood County row
of apple trees, that averaged about
five and half feet in circumference.
The apple fruit in this climate
attains great perfection, and which,
in point of quality and flavor, 1 have
never seen excelled. Some of our
best varieties are seedlings, the pecu-
liar offspring of the soil and climate,
and are not only superior in quality,
but large and elegant in appearance.
But some of the best varieties, being
of recent origin, have not as yet
been generally introduced into our
orchards. Those living in our South
ern cities seldom have an opportu-
nifty of Judging of the quality of our
fruits, as they are carried to market
in road wagons, and much bruised
before they reach the market. Our
people wagon them mostly to Athens,
Ca, and even rs far rs Atlanta and
Augusta. The peach is not much
cultivated, and the pear but seldom.
Pears would, however, do well here;
but next to the apple, the grape
would be tho most economical and
remunerative. The soil and climate
are both singularly adapted to the
culture of the grape. Here we can
get any desired elevation for vine
yards, and obtain localities where the
humidity is neither too great, nor
the fruit likely to be injured by the
late frosts. An experiment was
made, some year since, by French
man, in the Cahutta Mountain, on q
locality at an elevation of 900 feet
above tho level of the Oconee River,
where his fruit never had mildew,
and for number of years was never
injured but once OF twice with frost.
Moreover, the rocky strata of this
country, and the steepness of the
surface, are superior for draining the
soil to any tile drains that art can
construct; and by cutting into these
steep activities, wine cellars can be
constructed so as to secure uniformi-
ty of any desired temperature. This
is essential in proper vinous fermen-
tation, and the production of the
best quality of wine. If your Blue
Ridge Road was built, there are tens
of thousands of acres now in wild
forests that would soon be converted
into fruitful vineyards, and settle up
the country with frugal and pros
porous population.
There is one other view OF this
section worthy of remark. The
whole line, nearly, abounds with the
grandcst water power I ever saw.