The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-08-08
IN SUNNY TENNESSEE.
Garden City Gentleman Writes Q
Fruit Raising in That State.
Mankato, July 80, 1902.

Thinking there might be those who
would be interested in brief outline
of my short tour in a few of the coun-
ties and cities of central and eastern
Tennessee, 1 write a few lines for
publication.
My first stop was at the busy little
city of McMinnville, the county seat
of Warren county, which is centrally
located in the state. My first impress
sion was that of disappointment min
gled with pleasure-disappointment
because of the character of the soil,
and pleasure because of the scenery.
So far as was able to observe, in
my short stay, the soil is quite varia-
BILE, so much so that in going short
distance one will pass from soil that
lis productive and valuable to that
which is very stony and practically
valueless so far as growing crops is
concerned. However, it is said that
Iapples, pears and peaches do we'll on
this land Still further the soil is
variable as to its composition. The
top soil is usually clay, mixed here
and there with sand but clay predomi
mates. The color varies from that
which is quite light to the darker
shades of yellow, brown and very red
The subsoil is yellow and red clay, the
red predominating. The red clay soils
are strongly impregnated with iron
which makes them of more than ordi-
nary value as peach-producing lands,
at least 80 have been told by those
who are making peach culture spec
lialty. What I have said of Warren
county Is true of other parts visited az
to the nature of the soil.
The surface varies from level to IN
Idulating and as you ascend the Gum
tberland range one crosses succession
of elevations or ranges intersperseo
with beautiful valleys In which are
found villages, some Of which are Of
considerable Importance as to size ano
industry. From Warren county went
to Rhea county still farther east.
went via. Chattanooga, thence thirty
three miles north and east to tht
pleasant little hamlet of Graysvlll'
which nestles in beautiful valley a
the base of Lone Mountain upoI
/ whose side the Seventh ay-Adventlst
, are now erecting q sanltarlum. A
this place they also have an industris
training school within whose wall
the principles of Christian education
are carefully taug ht. The industrial
) features are, as L remember them
peach, apple, pear and strawberry cul
ture and canning, carpentry and gen
eral farming, a moderate amount o
vegetables being raised.
Living to the east of Graysville Is
90 81
; Ridge which contains some Of the bes
peach lands in the south. At thi
8 place had the pleasure of meeting
Mr.. s. S. Parker, an experienced an,
energetic peach grower, to whom
am indebted for many courtesies. 81
g has established an enviable reputation
r as a grower of choice peaches not onl
lin CINCINNATI but has also been solici
, ted for shipment of his choic
Elberta and Bell of Georgia peaches t
I Minneapolis. In course of converse
o ton with me, Mr.. Parker said: 50
n do not permit an inferior peach to b
packed for shipment as it destroys m
reputation as a peach grower an
shipper" I could but wish that a.
would be governed by the same rule
there would be fewer baskets Q
worthless peaches sold which had bee
fixed up on the top to make rher
"sell" Excellent peach land may b
: had at moderate prices in this localit
: and elsewhere.
nj On my return trip had beautifr
:, view of Lookout mountain which ma
Il be seen as one nears the city of Chat
=. tanooga.
o The pretty little city of Tullshom
Q in Coffee county was my next obJet
n tive point. The city has populatio
:, of 5000. At tho train I was met b
III. W. Woodward who is associate
o with Rath & Co. in the real estas
business. This gentleman kindly er
"a tertained me at his home during N
d short stay. His hospitality was not
: that variety that freezes the receiver
i not having been kept on ice to prever
:. its spelling. He also in company with
f gentleman in the employ of Mr.. Rat
O drove to several very desirable tract
r of land which may be had at moderat
q prices and are well worth what is ask
: ed for them. In conclusion, wish
il say that if anyone should wish t
r. visit Coffee county they will find i
/. Rath & Co. gentlemen worthy of COZ
q fdence and not only that you wi
n dl5O uuu uOSlIdU1O A0Au. WA
. here / have met several from th
north who are doing we'll and like il
T If you go south do 80 with the detern
n ination to be men and not partisan
a and am persuaded that you will hav
q little difficulty in finding friends an
n agreeable neighbors.
l. Timber is abundant and of fine qua
i lity. The following kinds are foun
v in profusion. Red oak, white oal
= and post oak, hickory. yellow poplar
lsycamore, beech, walnut, cherry, re
q cedar, and some other varieties
Cord wood may be had delivered q
!, your door for 81. 30 to SO per cord
Coal is abundant as it Is mined i
q many parts and may be had at Q. .
i per ton. The climate is excellent o
: account of the elevation of this part {
h the state. I was told that sunstroke
a 9 thing unheard of in this section {
the state and that malaria is conspic
i. uous by its absence, two very desil
. able features.
l. I believe that there are those in th
70 north who could find good homes an
a a healthful, genial. climate by goin
to this portion of the state which
% visited. On the whole my visit was
: pleasant one. and my impressions 8
d to the country are favorable.
"a MARTIN LEATHERMAN.
nj PLEASED WITH THE EDITION.