The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-11-09

in which are noted the impressions
formed during a recent visit made for
scientific research to that State.
CHARMING CLIMATE AND SCENERY.
North Carolina has an east and west
diameter of about 500 miles, and as
the usual route of travel lies along the
Atlantic coast and east of the Ale
ghanies through the Piedmont region,
but comparatively few people have any
definite conception of the charming
climate and magnificent scenery of the
area to the west. Ashevllle and the
Hot Springs are both we'll known as
health resorts without an equal east of
Colorado and New Mexico. But both
these localities are in the western por-
ton of the State and not entirely
within the mineral belts. Both of these
resorts are easy of access, however, by
way of the Richmond 6 Danville rail
road, and the scenery along the West
ern North Carolina division of that
system surpasses by many odds the
g world wide advertised' horse shoe
bend of the Alleghenies of Pennsyl
vania. After leaving Salisbury the
railroad rises gradually toward the in
terror of the State until the eastern
slope OF the Alleghanies is reached,
when the road ascends the mountain,
&c broadside," as it were, in a serpen
tine manner, forming loops or folds,
alternating from left to right, SO that
after making turn at one end of a
loop or fold, the roadbed again returns
on higher grade, but almost verti-
cally above its former course, to again
turn at the other end of loop, thus
continuing to crawl up the stupendous
face of the mountain, forming, without
doubt, one of the most brilliant pieces
of railroad engineering in the United
States.
AS the train ascendS the view
broadens, and when near the summit
the range of vision is almost limitless,
disclosing range after range, receding
toward the horizon where the earth
and sky merge imperceptibly in one
faint azure haze.
THE MOUNTAIN POPULATION.
The climate beyond the mountain
barrier, formed by the Alleghanies, is
dry and exceedingly healthful and
needs no praise. The mountaineer
population, apparently indolent and
thoughtless OF the proverbial "rainy
day." manage to exc out an existence
by raising corn and tobacco, the
former being sparingly used for food,
but more extensively in distilling con-
traband whiskey. The tobacco is of 4
high grade and is used entirely in the
manufacture of plug, cigarette and
pipe tobaccos. The principal manu-
featuring houses of the country have
agents constantly at Asheville, whose
duty it is to purchase at the daily sales
conducted at the six large warehouses.
S6,ooo,ooo WORTH OF TOBACCO SOLD.
The tobacco is brought to this mar
ket day by day by the various planters
and disposed of within forty-eight
hours. The sales for the year 1892
reached the sum of $4,000, 900, whereas
it might be increased to three times
that amount. The value of the tobacco
sold during the spring months of the
present year was chiefly at from 8 to
IA cents per pound. When the leaf
is properly cured, SO as to be free from
spots, caused by sudden cooliDg-owing
both to carelessness and ignorance
the price ranges readily from 50 to 60
cents. The loss thus sustained might
be prevented by the erection of drying
houses in which might be stored for
drying the product of an entire county,
where skilled attendants could regulate
the temperature of the room until the
leaf attained that bright color SO much
desired.
WHAT WOULD PROVE AN IMPETUS.
The erection Of drying houses prop
erly equipped with the necessary fur
naCes, SO as to be able to CAREFUL,
regulate the temperature during The
critical period, would be a great i'm
petus to tobacco growing. The plan
tiers could thus readily dispose of th'
green leaf at better price than j
often obtained by them for the poorl,
cured product, and the dryer woult
be enabled to make a handsome prof
on the transaction. A large percent
age of the difference between the aver
age price of poorly dried leaf, as a
present, and perfect, golden produc
in prime condition.
The preceding remarks, pertaining
to tobacco culture, do not apply tt
that productive area in the northern
and eastern parts of the State.
The WEALTH IN MINERAL DEPOSITS.
The wealth in North Carolina lie
in her mineral deposits, there being n,
State within the public DOMAIN tha
has greater variety. Gem stone
occur at various points, the best know
belt extending across the State jus
a short distance below the northern
boundary. Many thousands OF dollar
worth are sold annually, and scientif
mining would produce astonishing re
suits. The choicest gems are the hid
denite-a beautiful crystal resembling
, the emerald-rubies and sapphires
Many others OF less value are cut ant