Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-01-13
For the Herald and Tribune.
EAST TENNESSEE.
Washington County for Market Gar.
deHing and Smaller Manufacturing
Industries.

In my article you copied from the
Southern Field" sought to exhibit
the true facts as to East Tennessee
high natural advantages for profitable
market gardening, truck farming and
fruit growing
Speaking from rather extensive
observation of and acquaintance with
East Tennessee, my estimate is, that for
these industries Washington County
possesses advantages superior to any
other county in the territory referred to.
l wish very much that the Herald and
Tribune could publish map of the
county in connection with its series
Of Centennial letters. Possibly it may
do so. II such map appears, let me
refer to one fact it will show; Jones.
boro is located on the southwestern
crest of a bridge Of high ground ex.
tending across the county from east
to west and forming plateau which is
near two hundred feet above the gen.
eral area of the upper East Tennessee
basin. AT the county bridge, two miles
southeast of Jonesboro, the elevation
is about 1850 feet above sea level. At
this point is the highest elevation OF
the Southern Railway between Bristol
and Chattanooga. From this bridge
of high ground, the streams of water
flow south to the Nolachucky and
north to the Watauga. There are not
fewer than fifteen streams that flow to
the Watauga River, marking the lines
of small or larger valleys in the county
ranging in length from nine to eleven
miles. The number of streams flowing
to the Nolachucky is not 80 great, only
nine or ten. In my Southern Field"
article, | describe the peculiar forma.
tion of these valleys, divided by low
ridges, and why tn" soils on the south.
east exposures OF the ridges are so
highly suited to market gardening and
fruit growing. In future articles, |
may classify the products, and show
by experiments, their yield per acre,
value, and state what kinds suit best
in different locations. There is one
feature, however, that must not be
overlooked or underestimated A good
and steady market is necessary to sue
cess in the culture of all soil products;
and the best market of this kind, is
what is lermed local market--a mar.
ket which the producer can reach in
from one to three hours drive with his
wagon; and, 10 selling, act as his own
middleman. As it now is, all the
various products of our Washington
County soils have but five or six local
markets, and even the best of them
johnson City and Jonesboro) limited
in demand measure. Aside from these
demands, our products have to go
from 100 to 500 miles to find a place of
consumption, and transportation aud
commission charges eat up too large
a part of the gross profits. Can the
required local markets be created in
Washington County to constitute de,
mand for all or very large part of the
products of market gardening, truck
farming and fruit growing be adopted
on the scale which suggest? l answer
yes. In my next letter will explain
how, and point to the large pecunary
gain to those now here on the ground,
and, to those who come to be associated
with us as resident citizens.
AS u conclusion to this letter, let me
point to singular feature of our cen
tral Washington County geography.
Northeast of Joneshoro, what have
termed the dividing high ground be
tween the Nolachucky and Watauga
Rivers, extends for six miles as a pla.
teau and measuring about four miles
in width. Over this plateau no run.
ming streams are found on the surface
except for short distances. 1t is an
area of sink holes. Its strong streams
of pure water burst forth at the south.
ern part of deep depression in the
ground and disappears at the northern
end 30 to 200 feet away. In several
instances the stream is reached by
going down steep road under an
arched rock. Manifestly, under this
singular plateau are more than one
small or great caverns that would be
interesting to explore.
The high plateau ends two miles
from the Watauga River, aud, at
point 81 miles northwest of johnson
City. There, two or more Of the great
streams OF water flow out together in
the center of rather high ridge field
of the old Range (now Mauk's) farm,
where about half of the fall of the
stream turns the great wheels of saw
and -four mill. N. A. PATTERSON.
n l. I