Profile Sections from Chattahoochee Ridge to the Atlantic Ocean..................... 19 Profile Section from Alabama to South Carolina..................... 22 Hypsometric Map........... ......following 16 Map Showing Spring Temperature.......................... 66 40 THE COMMONWEALTH OF GEORGIA. PART I-THE COUNTRY. CHAPTER I. GENERAL CHARACTER OF GEORGIA. THE elements which enter into the composition of a State are so numerous that, in order to understand its character as a whole, some short cut is needed. Perhaps no better compendious method is to be found than, dealing with a State as with an individual, to inquire into its general character and reputation among those who already know it. Judged by this standard, which is obviously fair, the character of Georgia among her sister States stands confessedly high. She is favorably known among her neighbors, and favorably regarded abroad. She has no inconsiderable influence in the councils of the nation, and very great influence in the councils of the South, the section of which she is a member. Among these especially her views and opinions in matters of Federal and State policy, are respected, and her example largely followed. Indeed, she has by general consent acquired the title of the Empire State of the South; a title, however, which may perhaps hereafter need to be transferred to Texas. On this subject the Encyclopedia Britannica closes its article with the remark: "Texas possibly excepted, no Southern State has a greater future than Georgia." The opinions thus formed could be put in evidence in a court of justice. They are the resultant of many factors and the conclusions of many observers. Georgia being the youngest daughter of England among the colonies, is also atuong the younger States west of her a Mother State, and so she visits much, and in turn is much visited; even as Atlanta is a Gate city, so is Georgia largely a Gate State. The Atlantic and Gulf slopes, both are hers. In the chain of travel between the emigrant and immigrant States of the South the is a connecting link; so in the resorts to Florida as a sanitari1m, and to those in Southern Georgia, and indeed in Northern Georgia also, she is a link in the chain, when not its terminus. And thus the opportunities of mutual acquaintance are unusually good between Georgia and citizens of all States and sections. It will be the object of some ensuing chapters to indicate the particulars which go to make up this general character. In the present chapter we will notice one general feature, which characterizes the State in many of its aspects. Georgia is eminently and in almost every respect A VARIETY STATE. Varied as to country, people and productions; as to soil and climate; as to the people who inhabit it, white and black; as to industries and institutions; as to fruits and vegetables, and farm. garden and orchard products; as to resources, agricultural, mineral and manufacturing. Its territory is large, with ample room for choice and selection. Its chief extent is from north to south; so the range of latitude is considerable; northward, from a nearly tropical southern boundary. The range of elevation is also large, from tide-water by a gradual rise to bold mountains, with only stinted vegetation. Latitude and elevation thus help each other in supplying a remarkable range of climate and production. The State is full of geological variety, with consequent variety of soils and minerals. In the census volume, entitled, "Cotton Production of the State of Georgia," the opening comment on the geological features of the State is this: "The geological formations represented in Georgia embrace the Metamorphic, the Paleozoic, the Triassic, Cretaceous, Tertiary, and Quaternary." And all these are considerably mixed together. As the present treatment, however, is for the popular rather than the scientific reader, we may say that the geology embraces formations prior to the early forms of life, and from these all grades, to regions of which the witty remark was made to one who complained that his section |