The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-06-02
For the Standard.
For the Standard.
Interesting letter from Gen. Thomas L.
CIingman, concerning Western North
Carolina. ~
Climate Influence Of Gulf Streams
Czouer-H ealt!t ulness Of Western N. c.
a climate for C0nsumptioes Causes, &C.
RALEIGH, May oath, 1869.

|
Dear Sir.-I take pleasure In complying
with your request, to state in writing, the
substance of my conversation with you on
the subject of the effect of the weather upon
vegetation in the upper parts of the State.
This has been the third of series of Springs
remarkable for dampness and GOODNESS I have
noticed them particularly, because it was stat
ed in the newspapers two years ago last
winter, that the earthquakes occurring at that
time. had by eevating portions of the bed of
the Ocean, changed the current of the Gulf
Stream, and thrown it much near to our
coast. have no means of knowing whether
there is in fact foundation for such state
ment, but if it were true, it might be expect
ed to produce some changes of climate. The
warm air arising from body of water of
high temperature, saturated with moisture,
brought into contact with the colder air of
the land winds, would of course, on being
chilled, let go portion of its water which
would thereupon be condensed into fog or
cloud. The moist climate of Ireland and
England is attributed to the fact that large
portion of the Northern Atlantic Ocean is
covered by water from the Gulf Stream.
which has temperature of ten or twelve
degrees higher than the surrounding Ocean,
and hence the westerly winds carry the air
from this region, saturated with moisture to
/ these countries. Similar results are produc.
| ed in other localities by ocean currents. If
| the Gull Stream is now exerting such an in
| fuence on our climate, we must hereafter
expect similar weather in the spring to con-
tlnue until the advance of summer makes
the air oil the land as warm as that of the
sea, when the precipitation of fog would
cease. These three damp cool springs how
ever, may be only accidental, but if our eli
mate is to be permanently changed, it is in
teresting to examine what is to be the effect
on agricultural industry 1t is my impres.
sion that the change will be upon the whole
beneficial. 1t is true the cotton has been in
Jured, but If we have late and dry autumns
like the two last, late planting might keep
up the productions to the former standard.
Corn must also he planted little later. with.
however, no bad result. Small grain crops
will, think, be on the whole improved
while grass is unusually fine. When I was
at MOrganton few weeks since, nv atten-
tion was called to lot of clover of Mr.
Walton's, which several gentlemen who
had travelled much, thought as fine for
that period of the year, as they had ever
seen. on gong over to Ashville in few
days, however, saw some of DR.. billiards
OF Buncombe, (Which Notwithstanding the
later season) was much finer. l also OBJ
served on some ground of Mr.. Winslow
Smith most remarkable orchard grass, so
luxuriant and rank that an English gentle
man with me, who had been Il great traveller.
at first doubted if twas really orchard grass.
All the grounds of that region, and in fact
OF the upper portion of the State, show
unusually good grasses. Should our climate
become moist and cool like that of England.
why should We not have as fine grain and
grasses 2 If these Springs are to be the rule,
am satisfied that the State will, as a whole. |
be much benefited, even though less cotton |
should be made.
1t may not be out of place for me to say
something OF the new grass called Japan |
Clover, which is seen in a few places West !
OF the Blue Ridge, but which seems to be
rapidly covering the counties on this side of |
1t to the extent of more than a hundred
miles. None of the causes hitherto assigned |
Tor the rapid spread of this grass are suffi-
Client to account for or explain the facts.
and Its progress appears miraculous. It
does not seem to interfere with the fields in
active cultivation, nor even to penetrate
much into the oak forests, but it seizes with
avldlty upon all old fields, whether covered
by pines or broomsedge grass. 1t manifests
an especial hostility to the last named plant.
it without mercy, and ultimate.
ly exterminating it as an useless "cumberer
OF the ground" 1t spreads under the pines
beautiful emerald green carpet, thick and
elastic. 1t also takes possession of gullies
and all abandoned portions of the roads.
and will probably take hold of embank.
ments and sides of cuts of railroads. so as to
render unnecessary turfing them in the man
ner In which it is done in England. Hogs,
sheep, horned cattle and horses all seem to
devour 1t greedily, and appear to thrive on
It. Should it furnish good pasture for
seven or eight months in the year to such
stock great benefit will he the result. Cover
ing the ground so densely and shading it
,tfectually, it will soon improve the aban-
Toned lands.
was at the North few weeks ago, and
rom what then saw and have since learned.
measured by the vegetation in the Western
part OF this State, the spring is two months
earlier than it is in New York and New Eng
and Every one must see what ADVANTAGE
his gives our agriculture.
There Is another subject directly connect
I'd with the industry of the country of great
Importance, however, on which I wish to
ay something to you Thousands of persons
annually die OF consumption and other LUNG
diseases In the Northern States. For persons
Ifnicted with these diseases the cold
Inmate of Minnesota has been recommended
because OF its dryness, and so also have All
zen and other localities in the South, Some
'ubhcatlons have recently been made by
cientlc and professional gentlemen. show
ng That the climate of portions of the
fountain region of this State are eoual to
Minnesota In dryness, and superior in eoua. I
iHty and mildness of temperature, and that |
he greater elevation, dryness and cooler s
nmner weather, make it better for sucb
lvalids than Aiken, for example, elevation
eng one of the most important elements t
he observations made for the Use of tbn a
mlthsonlan Institute, at Asheville, have c
cen carefully examined, and il has been S
Town that that place has climate almost r
len'lcai with that OF Milan in Italy, and y
lenne Ill France, both of which are The re. n
'rc OF lnvalids. In none of these pubica- &
ons, however, is there an explanation of
10 Physical causes which have produced y
lere climate not only conl in the summer CT
oooniy uiy anu Dfaclng. Unless
lese facts are understood, persons may be
lsied IN selecting the best place for health.
nougn all the mountain region of this
tate is comparatively salubrious, it would
great mistake to suppose that all of it. c,
1ne plateau OF the Cumberland Mountain HI
tennessee had climate as dry as that of n,
The belt of country which has tc
e dryest climate does not in fact consti- ci
D1nr tl,n,, r.