Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1870-07-15
BRISTOL, VIRGINIA TENNESSEE FRIDAY, JULY k187O

from theae smooth rounded knobs,
magnificent view Is afforded of tn,
surrounding country. In order {,
give time to more thorough exami
nation of the vegetation of the higl
summit range, we made camp for
hight on the divide, taking shelter il
dense grove of balsam frs. The
next day we strolled leisurely over th,
different swells composing the mair
ridge, mounting to the highest rocky
point, which according TO the accurate
measurementof of Professor Juyot, reach
ed an elevation of six thousand two
hundred and thirty-eight feet abov,
the sea, falling but little below the
higest SUBMITS in the Allegheny
range.
This "beautiful Roam Mountain" sc
characterized by early travellers, has
been a favorite resort of botanists since
the time of Michaux's early explora.
tions, in the last century. 1t was visi
ted by the distinguished American
botanist, Professor Gray, of Cam.
bridge, in 1841, who noted, with his
accustomed thoroughness, it's botanical
features. Being six weeks earlier in
the season, i was able to add q few o
the more forward spring plants to DR.
Gray's list, including, among others
the charming fringed phaceifa, (Phd-
celia fBt5ridtd, Michx.) Now, as in
the time of these early travellers, these
bald, grassy exposures are in extensive
use for summer pasturage; and at the
season Of our visit, jane 8 and 8, they
were just being occupied for that pur-
pose by the adjoining country people
with their herds of cattle and small
droves of breeding holses. Here The
continuously cool atmosphere, abun-
dance of nutritious grasses, and clear,
cool springs and rivulets of water COM
prise everything to be desired in max.
ing up quadrupedal paradise.
The lateness of the season nray be
inferred from the fact that strawberries
were i'll bloom June 9, and the fruit
does not ripen till the latter part oi
July.
We were fortunate, after enjoying q
few hours of fine weather and eXtcn-
sive prospect, to accomplish the de-
scent just in time to escape one of those
drenchlng rains so common on these
high exposures.
In the lower valleys there is a con-
siderable scope of tillable land COM
posed of rich soil similar in its gen.
eral character 10 the celebrated Vir-
ginia Valley. 1t is well adopted to
wheat, corn, grass, and ordinary field
crops, the differences of soil and eX-
posure indicating the special adapta-
ton to particular crops. Grass is most
luxuriant on limestone soils, but in
the more broken districts Is apt to be
killed by the prolonged summer heat
In approaching the higher mountains
the valleys contract, and steep timber.
ed ridges extend TO the edge of the
swift-flowing water courses. Here the
farming lands arc limited to small
basins, significantly termed "coves," "
and occupy the less abrupt slopes
which have been cleared of the natur-
al forests. AS the elevation increases
there is greater GOODNESS of the atmos-
pherc, more frequent rains, and the
Seasons are favorable to the harder va
rictic3 of small grain, potatoes, and
northern fruits. In these mountain
districts cattlc-Iaising Is heprominent
branch OF industry, and system oI
rowing pastuage is adopted rs the
season advances, gradually ascending
TO the higher grassy SUBMITS of tht
'baid mountains" TO descend again
to the lowlauds with the recurrence o.
frost and snow.
Hogs, though of a very inferior
breed, are raised at little expense, be
ing allowed to run through the woods
where they feed on wild roots, anC
later i'm the fall fatten on acorn mast
chestnuts, and beech nuts.
The country throughout Is wei
adapted to the growth of fruit, par
ticularly apples, which everywhere
look thrifty and produce largely, Tho
surplus yield, for want OF IA convenieL'
market, being generally distilled int
apple brandy. Wild fruits and nut
are abundant i'm their season, and adt
their material attractions to the pic
turesque landscape.
1t is the ineXhaustible timber pro
duct of this region that will eventual
ly constitute the main source of it
wealth. Nowhere else are to be fount
such magnificent forests Of sugar ma
pie, beech, chestnut, tulip tree, oak
birch, sc. Mile after mile in almos
wearsome succession tower aloft thes
monarchs of tie woods. Pine, hem
lock. and cedar occur mostly in scat
tered groves, indicating generally
sandstone substratum. Locust tree
abound in certain sections, and tn
wild cherry attains an unusual Size
| A tree of the latter was pointed out Z
me having diameter at base of nearl.
| five feet, and height of not less thar
one hundred feet still thrifty and ap
parently sound to the beart.
In this connection, the prevalence
of hardwood growth, together Will
abundant water-power, and eXtensiv
beds of iron ore, plainly indicate th
direction which future industry vii
take. aided by the construction OF rail
roads. in developing n country distin
ruished for salubrity, beautiful scene
nv. and all the desirable accessories c
civilized life. {. Z. PAtth1
BOtdntst.
Hon. HORACE CAPRoN,
| Commissioner.