The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-06-12

The Forests and the Streams
Around 6igh Point.
IN. Y. Mining RecOrd.l


AS this place seems to be destined to
become in the near future an lmpor-
tant centre for mining operations In
this part of the State, | concluded to
locate here for some time, as at this
time people feel more interested In the
state of the thermometer, than at any
other time of the year, let me tell you
that at 80 degrees Fahrenheit here,
there is no such oppressive feeling in
the air as at 80 degrees in New York,
because we are 1000 feet above the
ocean and enjoy a constant breeze,
cooled by the evaporation OF the M
mense forests, with which we are sur
rounded. The piazza of the hotel from
which l write is shaded by oaks, tow
eriEg far above the roof of the hotel,
which has everything that is wanted
for the comfort of travellers or perma-
nent boarders, and mine host, MIR. M.
Jarrel, cannot be surpassed in his fac
ulties to accommodate guests OF every
cline. Prices for board and drives are
a little less than half what they are
North; distance from New York "a
hours by rail, or if you are not pressed
for time and wish to become cooled oil
from travelling between brick and
b~rownstcne, take steamer to Norfolk
and come here by rail via Raleigh, the
capital of the State, inspecting the
mineral and fossil wonders found here,
which are displayed in the State Geo
logical museum, under the able super
intendency of Prof. w. c. Kerr, the
State Geologist, in whose company |
had lately the pleasure of making an
excursion to some of the gold mines In
the neighborhOod.
You would have heard from me be-
fore this, but my time was occupied in
studying the formation of the country
and making most pleasant explorations
of mines and mining grounds within a
radius of SO miles, of which l intend
to give you a close description In sub
sequent letters, provided your readers
do keep up, during the hot weather,
their keen interest in mining matters or
do not choose to come down South and
see for themselves.
In all my travels from Maine to Cali
fornia, l lever saw a better shaded
country; in Nevada, New Mexico,
Arizona and some parts of Colorado,
the explorer has to provide shade
against the burning sun and water for
himself and animals; on this plateau,
elevated from 500 to !, 900 feet above
the ocean, he finds abundant shade in
the forest, and water, as it is rather an
exception from the rule to find one
clear limpid stream more than a mile
from the other. On the slopes of the
hills in the shade of stately oaks, syca-
more and locust trees, you find the
plain but substantial farm-houses, from
which the farmer surveys his SO to so
acres, cleared in the midst of the
forest, now beaming with a fine crop
of wheat, almost ripe for the mower,
or the white Indian corn, the hcalthiest
and most easily prepared food for men
and animals in this primitive region,
which since the time the dry land was
separated from the waters, never again
disturbed by such terrible commo-
tions which were caused by the up
heaval of the Appalachian chain of
mountains or the Sierra Nevada.
More anon of the qualification of the
recks and the mines.
CHAs. G. MANN,
Mining Engineer.
High Point, Guilford Co., May 80.