Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1889-09-12

What l Saw in the Up.Country.
(Editorial Correspondence SumterWatch-
IS q. nlan.1

An. enforced sojourn Of six weeks
in what is known to us as the up
country, has renewed my acquain.;
tance with some conditions Of life,
and enabled me to form that of
others, a description of all Of which
may be of interest to the readers Of
this journal.
**
For some years past, grape culture
has attracted much attention from
the more advanced agricultural
thinkers Of Grccnville and Oconee
counties, The climate and soil ep-
pear 70 be thoroughly adapted to
the growth of the vine, and the time
is not far distant when most other
crops must give place to it in that
section. Ten years ago, vineyards
were unknown; now thousands of
gallons of wine are annually shipped
from Greenville, and in the summer
season, no table is too poor to afford
an abundance of grapes. The in
dustry is still in its infancy, though
many car loads of grapes are shipped
North and South. Thus far it has
been impossible to divcst grape
growers of the idea that sugar is
necessary to make good wine, but
they will undoubtedly discover that
they must look to claret wines alone
for their money ~
The grape industry has advanced
further in the neighborhood of Wal
halla than elsewhere in the State.
Mr. Wiecking of that place ships
large quantities of fruit to Birming-
ham, and on the day of my depart
ure | saw Mr.. Wanner loading
consignment (to Charleston I think.)
This town formerly controlled
large mountain trade and was a
shipping point for cattle, but the ex-
tension Of the Western North Caro-
lima road has turned much of this
trade in another direction. The fu-
turc of the place depends upon the
wine and stock industries. Number
of high grade horses and fine mules
are raised annually, and at stock
show in Pen,iieton some days since,
no less than sixty mule colts were
shown i'll one lot. A wine and dis
tilling company has just commenced
business in Walhalla, and some idea
of it's first seasons work may be OBJ
tained from the fact that it has made
1000 gallons of blackberry brandy
alone.
Walhalla is very prosperous
town, which annually furnishes large
quantities of produce for the con-
sumption of other places moro ad-
vantagcously located from CON-
mcrcial point of view. It is, also, n
summer resort for hundreds from
the coast region, and ranks among
the pleasantcst and healthiest of such
resorts.
The grain and fruit crops of this
section arc the largest for many
years, but the season was too late
for cotton. Cheoheo Valley, in the
Western part of Oconee county, is
the pretticst country / ever saw.
Extensive fields of corn bear cvi-
dencc to the thrift Of the people,
while the circling mountains furnish
a background of varying and end
less beauty to picture which has
few equals in America. From this
place visited the exotic town of
Highlands, N. g., crossing in jour
ney of % miles, portions Of three
States, and traversing road which
nothing butt the energy and perse-
verance of Yankee could have con-
structcd. The town is situated at
an altitude of about 1000 feet and
possesses climate unrivallcd for its
dryncss and evcnness. The inhabi-
tants are principally settlers from
the Northern States. The only
communication with the outside
world is by stage lines to Walhalla
and Seneca. The temperature is
too low for the successful cultiva-
tion of anything but grass, clover
and vegetables, but these grow to
perfection. Blackbcrrics are per-
fcctly green in August and English
peas have just become large enough
for table use. Many boarding
houses are filed with guests during
the summer, among which / can not
do less than mention specially that
of Mr.. Smith, of Pennsylvania,
where | received unstintcd hospi-
tality Mr.. w. f. b. Haynsworth
was with me there and will join me
in my remembrance of our kind host
and hostess.
Highlands is certainly model
resort for those afflicted with pull
monary troubles, and all seeking
great altitude and freedom from
dust, dampness and heat.
The uniform kindness and polite
ness of all the up-country people
will attract attention from the most
careless, and one cannot leave them
with aught but pleasant recollections
| of thnap md kindrnI yirtuos