The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-17
JANUARY Il, 1878.

By Dr w. Gleitsmann of The Mountain SAIL
tarium, A>hesille \. G.
The beauties of the scenery of
Western North Carolina have often
been described by various authors.
and numerous tourists are yearly
visiting its lofty peaks and fertile
valleys. But it Is only of late wears.
that the public mind has been d.
rccted to the health-giving quail
ties Of this region; which it owes to
its geographical position. Western
North Carolina is bounded eastward
bv the Blue Ridge, on the west by
the Smoky Mountains and conta ms
about 5000 square miles: is there
fore Il little larger than the whole
State OF Connecticut. The average
elevation Of the valleys is about
1000 feet, whilst the mountain
peaks rise to 5000 and 5000 feet
and over. The elevation of this
undulating plateau in a low-south-
erly latitude gives peculiarities Of
climate, which cannot easily be
fund elsewhere and which are of
the greatest Importance to invalids.
Mountainous regions with high att
tude above sea-level and consequent
IL diminished pressure of the at
mosphere are becoming daily more
popular for the treatment of certain
diseases of the human system.
Western North Carolina offers, of
all high plateaus of the T.. S. the
most equable temperature, and is
therefore emlnently suited for the
permanent settler, who in search
Of health Is anxious to find Il local
itv. where he can avoid extreme
heat IN summer and is not cOmpell-
ed to shut himself indoors in win
ter. Taking Asheville, the centre
Of Western North Carolina, as a
basis, we find during a period OF
ten years the highest temperature
rising twice only to $50 and once to
90o, the lowest falling only four
times below 80. The average tenn
perature of the four seasons; winter
3t.So, spring 53.4o, summer 7O.4o,
autumn 53.4o, of the whole year,
$3.50, the annual average rainfall,
1912 inch, the greater part of which
falls in the warmer months, when it
is most needed by the farmer. With
variations in the rainfall these fig
ures give a good general idea of the
climate of valleys about 1900 feet
high, but change of course.especial-
ly in decrease of temperature with
the increase of elevation. These
few data demonstrate, that Western
North Carolina possesses a more
equable climate with less extremes
of heat and cold than any region of
similar elevation in the United
States, and further illustrate, that
of all the inhabitable places of the
Union there is none, which has as
low extremes of heat in summer,
except a few places on the northern
shore of the great lakes. These
points are of essential importance
to invalids, who want to locate,
where they can follow outdoor pur-
suits. Farming, the most healthful
occupation for this class of people,
is more successfully done, when
the ground can be cultivated early
i'll spring, and when the crops has
not to suffer from early frosts.
Land is generally cheap and any
variety of fruit, vegetables or grain
can be grown. Stock raising also
pays very well, as the pastures are
good and cheap. When the two
approaching railroads will be fin
shed to Asheville, which will be III
about one year from now, there is
no doubt that the immense water
power of the country will be USED
for manufacturing purposes. The
diseases for which these elevated
regions are mostly suited r nerv'
Gus prostration from overwork, con
y~alescence from pleurisy, typholc
fever or any severe sickness, malarl;
(which is unknown here,) dys
pepsia, and most of all consumption
in It's different stages. In order t
obtain improvement in the latter 81
much dreaded disease, it is necessa
~ to come early and not to liml
the time of stay, when a Favorable
influence of the climate is noticed
The greatest mistake of the man.
thousands who yearly travel TO
health, is that they are satisfied
with a small degree of improvement
and return to their former occupa
tons and homes, where they con
tracted the disease, either from
anxiety to esume business, or be
cause the resort, ut which they re
manned, does not possess a cllmat
tit to stay all the year round. I
relapse of the disease is in the ma
inritr of nncnS thu natural cQnS9