The palmetto and the live oak characterize the growth of the coast region, which also produces oranges of superior quality and figs in great abundance. Magnolias also abound from the coast to some distance inland. The swamps are characterized by cypresses, gums and bay trees. The long-leaf pine, water oaks and hickories are common on the uplands near the coast. Hard woods are predominant on the Piedmont plateau; deciduous oaks are most common, but birch, beech, ash, black wal nut, maple, sycamore, chestnut and tulips are also plentiful. The mountains have cucumber trees, hemlock, white pine and laurel. Among indigenous species of economic importance are the grape, blackberry, pawpaw, plum, persimmon, crabapple, hazel nut, walnut, pecan, apricot, cherry and pear. Ginseng, bloodroot, hore hound, redroot, horsemint, wild flax are the commonest medicinal plants, while the flowering varieties are represented by the lilies, roses, violet, golden rod, woodbine, azaleas and jes samines.
Deer, rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, raccoons, opossums, minks, ducks, wild turkeys, quail, snipe and woodcock are the best repre sented of the animals and birds. Foxes, bears, wolves, wildcats are now rare, while within memory panthers have become extinct. There are several varieties of songbirds, including all ordinary varieties. In the bays and rivers are porpoises, whiting, bluefish, seabass, shad, stur geon, mullet, snappers, sheepshead, weakfish, oysters, shrimps and terrapins. In the upper courses of the rivers are catfish, pike, perch and trout.
Climate.— The mean annual temperature in the coast region is 63° to 65° F.; summer mean, 74° to 79°; winter 54° to rainfall, 50 to 80 inches. In the Sand and Red Hills region the climate is dry, but it enjoys an abundant rainfall and is well watered. The Alpine region has a distinctly salubrious cli mate. The highest mean temperature (for a week) ever recorded there was F.; the lowest was 25° F. The mean annual tempera ture there is from 55° to 58° F. The rainfall is heavy, dewless nights are rare and vegetation is in consequence luxurious. The mean annual temperature for the whole State is about 62° F.; the mean summer temperature, 79° F., and the mean winter temperature 44° F. The mean annual rainfall is 49 inches; it is well dis tributed and about 17 inches falls during the summer or growing season. Snow is uncom mon in the southern part of the State and usu ally melts as it,falls, but in the north snowfalls of several inches are not uncommon. Torna does sometimes sweep over the western part, while at intervals hurricanes from the West Indies ravage the eastern part of the State.
Soils.— In the Piedmont plateau the soil is a mixture of sand and clay, the result of the dis integration of the rocks of the region. On the hillsides of the river basins is the type of soil which is most common in the State, the deep red clay. The upper part of the coastal plain
has a poor, sandy soil of little fertility, but the lower part has a finer sand which is much more fertile. Along the rivers and about the Sea Islands are the swamp muck and clay soils of great fertility.
Mineral Industry.— The minerals worked are phosphate rock, which is found in a belt of about 70 miles from the mouth of the Broad River to the headwaters of the Wando, in Berkeley, Dorchester, Charleston, Colleton and Beaufort counties. In 1915, 83,460 long tons pounds), valued at $310,850, were mined. he production is declining in South Carolina. Granite in 1915 was produced to the value of $321,612 and clay products (brick and °paper clays” to the value of $379,133. Gold produc tion, once important, has now practically ceased. In 1915 only 183 fine ounces ($3,789) were produced. The State produces also silver, manganese, iron, lime and monazite in small quantities. The value of the total mineral out put (including coal products, sand, etc.) was $1,129,709 in 1915 and $1,414,249 in 1914.
Agriculture.— The settlers in Carolina soon ascertained that its soil and climate were suit able for all the plants of the Old World grow ing from the subtropical to the subarctic regions, besides a most varied flora of its own. They found also extensive pastures supporting numerous herds of wild buffalo, elk and deer. The horses and cattle introduced by the Span iards increased rapidly in numbers. It might have been thought that here were elements favorable for a diversified husbandry. The colonists, however, discovered an agricultural monopoly and an export °money crops in rice. It required capital for drainage and irrigation and a thoroughly organized and reliable labor able to resist the malarial influences of the rice swamps. Negro slaves fulfilled these condi tions. English merchants furnished the negroes and supplies on credit. The English Parlia ment favored the exportation of rice and it became a most profitable crop. When cotton was introduced in the 18th century, as it grew on healthy uplands, and did not require much capital, it was suspected that the small white farmer would undertake its culture. The small farmers, however, did not, except as overseers, take to cotton planting until after the emanci pation of the slaves. The small farmers of both races modeled themselves after the methods of an agriculture that had been successful for nearly two centuries. They confined their en ergies largely to one ((money crop* for export. They worked at it with hired labor, on borrowed money, purchased instead of breeding work ani mals, bought a notable portion of their sup plies and largely of fertilizers.