Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-07
A NntIcnal parK q tha sonth.

n NUtlCudi t-stfk N Tie DOutH.
A recent issue OF the Guefr and Farm
contnina q strong plea for the purchase BY
tho United States Government OF suhi-
Gent land in the Appalachian chain Tor
the establishments of great national
forest plcasure-erounds after the order OF
the Yellowstone Park. the Yosemite rcser-
yation, and the two smaller parks in Cali
fornia. No other forest Of dscidrons
trees. declares the Grdsn and Farm,
equals 10 variety, splendor, and
attractiveness that which IL TO be
fouad in tho Southern Alleehanies. and
why. Il asks. should not portion Of this
forest be set apart tor the Instruction and
enjoyment Of the people, and the preserve
ton OF The magnificent trees in which II
aboundsg The New York Sun unites with
the Gnd,n and Farm Ia urging the adyisa-
bility Of such step ON the part of the gov
trnment. and agrees with its contemporary
that the site OF tho proposed park
should DO Ia the great Smoky
mountains in North Carolina or Tennessee
or both. In this locality there is greater
variety of giant trees than : TO be met with
anywhere else in the whole eastern division
Of the country; for here the principal
trees Of the forests of the North, the South,
and the middle States reach their grandest
development. in respect both Of height
and Of trunkmeasurement and here foliage
and effiorescence attain amaryellous degree
of luxur.ance. The territory affords an
embarrassment OF riches 10 select
from in establishing park. but
from what can be learned from those who
are thoroughly familiar with the entire
section 1t would appear that the region OF
the head.waters OF the Nantahala river IN
Western North Carolina most fully meets
all the conditions demanded. For many
miles the Nantahals threads its way
through veritable canyon. The forest with
ITS mammoth growth of ages has dehed the
ravages Of the axeman for the reason that
there is no way of getting out the timber,
and the scenery retains oil of It's primeval
rugesdness and imposing grandeur One
can ride for hundred miles through the
Nantahala country without encountering
fellow creature. yet ~ every turn Will
see something to interest him and instil
in him O reverence for the glories OF ma
ture.
We doubt not that by proper management
the government could at present acquire
along the Nantahala vast area at compare
lively small cost. The geographical situa-
ton with reference TO Tennessee, Georgia,
South Carolina, and the rest of North Caro-
lima is such that should the government
make the purchase the park would soon be
made accessible By several lines of railw
The Sun says the project might be realized
at next winters session of Congress. Ger
tainly 1t is a plan full of suggestions to
southern congressman. Its realization
would give tremendous impetus TO the
opening % Of the surrounding country
and the development of its almost mex
haustible mineral resources. TO say nothing
of the fact that thousands OF tourists
would be attracted TO the park annually.
Owing to Its elevation the Nantahala re-
gion is one of the healthiest on this CONT
nent, while in the matter of distance from
all the eastern centres of population it has
untold advantages over the national parks
and reservations in the West. 1t is truly
land of the sky.n in which lovers of
nature would reyel, and where they would
find almost endless fields for forest study.