New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-03

lFkOM OUR SPBClAb CORRESPONDENCE
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July 24.-Looking north
ward from the summit Of high mountain in Western
North Carolina one day last weok, large part OF
East Tennessee lying below me- and stretching away to
the hazy blue barrier of the Cumberland Mountains
upon the far-o horizon. Tho country looked like vast
fertile plain, beautifully checkered with alternating
folds and woodland and watercd by numerous streams
thought had fairer landscape, ana after
descending the mountain and travelling north by coach
and rail for fifty miles along the valley OF the Frenoh
Broad River and then for about the same distance
on ridges skirng valley Of the HOson, found that
the country made good all that 1t had promised IN the
bird eye view obtained from the mountain peak.
1t ia not level plain, however, as 1t appeared
when seen from my rocky perch 900 feet above H. pu
Il much bro ken by high ridges that run between inc
watercourses and by gently soping hills Thefarms arc
weenced than half the land is clear OF iorest'
and comparatively little has been entirely worn out ana
abandoned TO sedge-grass dwarfpnes and BLACKBERRY
bushes Less than half the dwellings are OF logs anu
handsome brick farmhousos. with vast yards III iron'
nnd thrifty orchards In the are not unsuai sk
The rolling land the numerous large streams tne ue'o
foliage of the forests that the higher hs anu INC
lofty mountains upon the southern horizon about whose
peaks the white clouds sail like noek OF doves aoout
steepe make the country delightfully."- picturesque In
Decd there house whose front door uoeS hoe
open upon rural scene pretty enough Tor picture
desire however to give the reader more practical
view az East Tennessee than description Of its land
scape beauties would afford. 1t is section which offers
special inducements that large class Of people at the
North who since tho ended, have cherished an
Intention or least desire, to emigrate southwark In
search OF genial climate either for greater pleas
are in outdoor e or for recovery from diseases which
the severe weather of North is believed to aggravate
For the benefit of this class have carefully gathered
the following information respecting East Tennessee,
which, think will be found Trustworthy at least not
open the charge Of overstatement My own observa
ton in few days travel does not OF course count for
much, but the from which these facts are OBJ
tained believe to be Trustworthy.
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE COUNTRY.
East Tennessee comprises two distinct regions-the
Cumberland table land and the broad valley stretching
from the Cumberland Mountains the north TO that
portion OF the Allegheny system called the Unaker OF
Smoky Mountains, which form the North Carolina
boundary, and form the Virginia line on the east TO
The Cumberland table land on the west. The first
section Is belt of country miles In breadth, extending
across the from northeast to southwest 1t is
lofty plateau formed by the fstening out OF
The Cumberland Mountains, and has an elevation OF
about 2OOO feet 1t is nterseced with mountain spurs
and ranges comparatively wild and sparsely set
lied have portion OF this plateau and there
fore shall not discuss its attractions to emigrants
understand 1t ne grazing country, and enjoys re-
markably invigorating climate. The great valley Of
East Tennessee is miles long and 10 wide and has
average elevation of 3OO feet 1t is composed OF sue
mountain ridges all having the general direction of the
main valey-from north east TO southwest These sub
ordinate valleys OF various lengths widths and de-
yrees OF fertility They are waered by clear, rapid
streams fed by countless springs in the hili-sides
CLIMATE.
The people OF East Tennessee claim for this section
climate unsurpassed by that of any other part of the
United States aud as persons who here since
the different parts of the North agree with the
natives In this statement the praise hears Of the
climate may be taken not exaggerated. The Summers
are no warmer than of Central New-York the
average temperature Of the Summer months being 7O
The elevation Of the country and the proximity Of the
mountain give cool, breezy atmosphere. The
Winters are quite mild. What would call in the
North October weather. lasts till Christmas when the
usually falls The average Winter temperature
Tor period of years 3So Snow falls but seldom,
the ground longer than 4s hours.
The weather is not rainy and disagreeable during
most of the Winter, as in some parts OF the
South, but there many fine clear days. 1t
g said that during half Of the time from
me OF December till March the ground is dry enough
md the air enough for blowing, much OF which Is
lone by during that period Frosts seldom
occur later than the first week in April The early
Springs and late Falls especially advantageous to
farmers. They have two three months more time for
outdoor work than farmers have In the Northern States
and the cost Of Winterng stock is much ess-probaby
less than the cost in the latitude OF York and
Pennsylvania The climate is peculiarly heathfu. The
soil Ia dry and well drained; there swamps or
bodies Of stagnant water, and masmatc diseases are
unknown. The shows that, next to the Pacific
coast the ratio of mortality is less in East Tennessee
Than in any part Of the country Consumption Is
comparatively and many persons affected with that
disease or with asthma catarrh, have been relieved
by residence here.
The soil OF East Tennessee may be described in general
Terms as a rich alluval clay loan, resting upon lime
hattie landa aOn
smaller streams the most fertile, and produce enor-
nous crops especially of corn for which they seem best
adapted OF almost equal fertility are many Of the up
and farms which have chocolatecoOred soil, easier
20 cultivate, and producing greater variety OF crops
than the bottoms Much OF the upland has been worn
,ut by shallow blowing and constant cropping but there
= holland that can so readily be restored 10 good con-
Iition Northern men have, in many instances that
nave heard Of bought WORKOUT land OF this description
or $40 an acre. and in two years made 1t worth U.s. by
blowing deep and sowing clover. Others have by the
lse of lime or plaster restored, In single year. Land
abandoned by its former owners as exhausted Most OF
ne upands have reddish SOIL but some have white
say soil suitable only for grass which forms nrm sod
,r for small grain. Besides the two classes OF land
named there is third the ridge lands lying upon the
slopes and submits Of the ridges that intersect the
country. They have clay SOIL and are usually heavily
ambered with oak black walnut hickory and pine.
When cleared their chief value is for pasturage The
country broken by these ridges which separate the
small valleys that large number of the farms comprise
all three varieties Of anda strip Of bottom land lying
lIong river or creek stretch of upland, and beyond
that wooded ridge.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
The Northern farmer who emgrates to East Tennes
see has new trade TO learn he who goes further
South into the cotton rice country The crops and
mode OF culture the in NewYork, Pennsyl-
vana, and Ohio. and the only difference In farming OPP
erations from the mder climate and longer time
during the year for farm work Corn and wheat the
staple crops Along the river valleys have fine