The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

therefore, in the course of one OF my
rambles in Rutherford county, n. o.,
some one referred to that region as II
sure-crop peach country, my interest was
at once secured; for knowing that the
peach is the first fruit tree to blossoms
in the spring, and consequently most
liable to be injured by spring frosts, the
idea of its being a sure crop anywhere
started me on an investigation, with the
result that / found there is section
where peaches never fail and on account
of the character Of the soil may be
most successfully cultivated. This IS
equally true of grapes.
Throughout the mountains of North
Carolina at certain elevations, but espe-
cially on the eastern side of the Blue
Ridge and along the spurs which it
throws off which are locally known as
the Brushy mountains and the South
mountains, there are horizontal belts of
land along the mountain sides known as
the Thermal Belt" where frost is UNI
known. 1t is well named a belt, for
in the early spring this territory appears
as Il belt of verdure along the side Of
the mountains, the ground above and
below being still covered with the leaf
less trees of winter.
Various theories for the existence of
this frostless condition have been sug-
gested, the most reasonable of which
perhaps is, that after nightfall the rapid
loss of heat from higher places causes
the air to contract and become heavier,
upon which it falls to the lowest level,
gradually displacing and driving up the
warmer air, which has a natural ten
dency to ascend, and that this frOstless
belt lies at the point of junction between
the warmer and colder air, where the
further descent of the colder upper air
and rising of the warmer lower air
which has been going on all night, is
arrested by the rising sun, and frost is
no longer possible.
The following is an extract from an
article on the subject Of the Thermal
Belt" which appeared some years ago
in a scientific magazine:
when the thermometer indicates a
temperature Of about rs degrees E frosts
extend about 300 feet in vertical height
up the mountains, and there cease, APP
pearing again about 400 feet higher In
the intervening belt the most delicate
plants remain untouched. In this
frostless zone the Isabella grape has
secutive years, but is free from mildew,
blight and rust"
Another writer, DIR. G.. Mills, in the
New York Evening Post, referring also
to this region, says: Deep in the heart
of the Blue Ridge is a valley exhibiting
such curious natural phenomenon that
in old days it would have been consid-
cred Il veritable enchantment.
The phenomenon referred to is thermal
in character. All through January last
winter the mountain tops above this
valley were white with snow, but in the
valley the jessamine blossOmed, roses
budded and guests Of the hotel played
tennis in light costumes This thermal
phenomenon is most marked as spring
opens. Then one may see leaves and
flowers in bloom in the valley, while
Just above the separating wall the trees
are scarcely budded, and the earth is
brown and bare What is more remark
able. the line of demarcatiOn is dis
tinctIy visible to the naked eye. In APP
pie blossom time, which comes in May,
the difference is so marked as almost to
startIe one. Here, for instance, is am
orchard ON one side of the line a mass
of fragrant bloom. Yonder is another
lust over the line, in which the buds arc
peeping timidly out between half formed
leaves. -. There is no frost in this
belt dew never being precipitated there.
The season is known to be nearly a
month earlier in the spring, and later
in the autumn than in the valley be-
low"
DIR. Mills writes of but one valley with
which he is acquainted, but the same
phenomenon prevails in many other To-
calities.
A short distance from RutherfOrdton,
near Chimney Rock, these thermal con
ditions exist perfectly, and several small
orchards there produce fine fruit un-
faiIingIy year after year.
The native population does not under
stand commercial fruit growing and
canning, and those in other parts who do,
do not know that such a natural con
dition as obtains in this frOstless belt
exists, or the mountain sides would be
chain of orchards and vineyards.
NV first actual acquaintance with
this thermal belt was in March, 1894.
During that month a blizzard struck the
South just as | was on trip among
the truck farms of the coast country.
On my return journey / went from AL
bany, Ga, to Atlanta, through the
celebrated peach and vineyard districts
of Georgia, stopping at various points,
such as Fort Valley, Griffin and Pomo-
ma, which are centers of fruit culture.
At every point l found not only leaves,
buds and blossoms destroyed, but often
the trees and vines killed to the ground
outright, many of them burst open from
the frozen sap, which had been IN full
flow. 1t was one of the most melancholy
sights / ever saw, and the fruit men were
in despair. 1t will be remembered that
many of the orange trees in Florida We're
killed in this blizzard
Passing from South Carolina to North
Carolina, on the invitation of friend,
who has an orchard and vineyard in the
frostless belt, l was amazed to find his
trees and vines practically unhurt. That
year everything came this way, so far
as priceSuSo.
These extraordinary natural condl-
tions which adapt this territory so par
ticularly to the cultivation of all kinds
of fruits, especially grapes and peaches,
will make this in the future the fruit
country par excellence. All that is neces-
l,..,, 70 hn NJ