The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

most say there is no land at all. The
soil, as have said, is of sand, and from
this grows a vegetation of considerable
size and of great density. This sand Is
few inches below the surface of the wa
ter, and the woody vegetation, growing
and falling during generations, has grad
ually formed a layer of wood and leaves
which rises few inches above the water
In some portions. In the dry season this
built-up layer is of sufficient stability to
permit 1t being used in the great lumber
industries.
Lake Drummond itself is nothing more
than a depression in the swamp. 1t is OBJ
long in shape, being about three and
half miles long by three miles wide, and
in no place is 1t deeper than thirteen feet.
The lake is invaluable for transporting
the lumber and is now being used as
feeder for the ship canal which is being
built to connect Elizabeth City with
Portsmouth.
mo, this will not drain the swamp; the
swamp will never be drained; it would be
of little use if 1t was. Some efforts were
made to drain the great area, but the
scheme only succeeded in lowering the
water in places ten miles from the boun-
daries of the lake. The soil thus disclosed
is very sandy. and, although it is being
cultivated to some extent, it is not suff-
GENTLY valuable to render such a scheme
financially profitable.
1.-THE great commercial value Of the
swamp is its inexhaustible supply of tim
Der. The region is covered to such an ex-
tent with a thick growth that one finds
the swamp dark on the brightest days
The trees are of enormous size and we
found some cypress stumps which meas
ured fourteen feet in diameter AS these
stumps had been cut off years and years
ago one can only imagine what the size
must have been before the stumps were
worn down by the water. bitches have
been dug which traverse the swamp in all
directions, and by these bitches the lum-
bermen transport their logs to Lake
Drummond. and from there through an
outlet to Albemarle sound. The lumber
industry is by no means in its infancy
there. Over 100 years ago some of
the same bitches which are now in use
to-day were dug. George Washington con-
trolled heavy interests in the lumber in
dustry, and when he died he left 10000
worth Of stock in the several companies
His wonderful engineering ability was ex-
ercised here for many years, and one of
the principle waterways in use to-day was
commenced and finished under his super
vision, and from plans formulated by him.
These waterways are extremely mar
row, and their great age Is evident from
the great mass of moss overhanging the
artificial banks. on this moss and among
enormous numbers of snakes, with which
the region Is infested. The snakes are
not poisonous and are harmless; still few
persons care to see snakes all the time.
The snakes are OF the species known as
the King snake like this one" and Mr.
Palmer drew from a box a snake about
six feet long and Of the circumference OF
an ordinary ink-well. The snake imme-
diately cooled itself tightly around Mr.
Palmer's arms and the bright sun brought
into view all the beauty of the firm. black
scales, ringed with white. The darker
scales were beautiful In the iridescent
rainbow coloring, and Mr.. Palmer ex-
pained how the rings and head easily
showed II to be a harmless snake.
Although the snakes are everywhere
to be SEEN" continued Mr. Palmer, they
are not pests. No snake Is a pest and
a person should never kin snake wan
tonly. They are of incalculable value for
the unceasing war which they wage
against mice and vermin. Every barn In
the country has blacksnake. and every
farmer will tell you Il Is worth It's weight
In gold for the good II does during the
year. The pests OF the swamp region are
the mosquitoes and flies, which are uncom-
fortably numerous during this season OF
the year. Mosquitoes are bad enough.
but they can be borne. The flies, how
ever are murderous In their intent They
80 iolAn IN hNhimei ana Voc betlde the |
person or animal on whom they settle.
Too small 10 be kept out by netting, they
penetrate every portion OF ones clothing.
and the only relief Is by jumping into the
water or committing suicide.
ITO return TO our original subject" said !
Mr.. Palmer. In conclusion. the sight
which was viewed by the first man who |
entered the Dismal Swamp by way OF |
Lake Drummond must have been one Of |
the most beautiful which nature has /
shown 70 man. As Is evident from the
stumps 10 be found eircling the lake. the |
entire lake was lined with forest OF /
enormous and beautiful expresses. eight. |
ten. and fourteen feet In diameter. The 4
branches lntermingled In an imponctrabie /
mass. and, covered with tropical moss ana
foliage. the scene, IN an It's silent grand /
eur. was the most stnpendous spectacle
Of Gods nature 1 can possibly imagine"