The Alpine Road over the Stelvio Pass (Conclusion): Economy and Mineral Springs of Valtellina

Appendix.

The Alpine Road over the Stelvio Pass. 6/6

(Conclusion.)

The territory of the Valtellina contains a remarkable abundance of forests and cattle pastures. However, since the latter belong communally to individual localities, they offer as little advantage to agriculture as elsewhere where such communal pastures exist. Boundless is the quantity of forest trees covering the slopes and in part also the summits of the mountains on both sides of the Adda. Many a tree grows old and rots away here without being felled, on the very spot that gave it life. In the meantime, however, timber floating has been set in motion, especially in the district of Bormio, and the local forests have begun to thin out and gain in value. The timber floats down the Adda to Lake Como, where it is conveyed further upon rafts. In order to ensure that no harm is done to the young saplings in the future, the government, in selling the forest tracts, has restricted felling solely to trees of a certain diameter.

The province possesses a by no means inconsiderable wealth of valuable minerals, especially marble; however, it is not yet mined everywhere. In the Valle di Fraele (Träle-Thal), belonging to the district of Bormio, there is a rich iron mine in vigorous operation, which supplies the furnaces and forges in Premadio and Cepina (Cedrasso). Iron workshops are also situated in Sondrio and Masino, producing mainly agricultural tools. In the Valmalenco, highly valuable roofing slate and potstone are found. The district of Chiavenna also contains these varieties of stone, but they fall considerably short of those from Valmalenco.

Very celebrated are the warm mineral baths of Bormio and Masino, as well as the ferruginous chalybeate springs of Santa Caterina in Valfurva; they would have enjoyed a greater influx of visitors even earlier had more care been taken for the comfort of the health seekers and had the roads leading thither been in a better condition.

The springs of Bormio have a temperature varying between 28 degrees and 38 degrees Réaumur. The water is crystal-clear and tasteless. At 16° Réaumur, Bellani's hydrometer indicates zero. Twelve apothecary pounds contain:

Carbonate of lime . . . . . . . . . . 7.50 grains,

Carbonate of magnesia . . . . . . . . 4.00 „

Sulphate of lime . . . . . . . . . 13.50 „

Sulphate of soda . . . . . . . . . 11.00 „

Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00.75 „

These proportions of solid constituents are, however, subject to certain changes in thawing weather, prolonged rain, and the consequent decrease in the water's temperature.

The water of the Masino springs showed, according to the examinations conducted, a temperature of + 27°.5 Réaumur, at an external atmospheric warmth of + 13°.5 R. It is likewise entirely clear, tasteless, and odorless. Where it wells up, one observes neither a saline, earthy, nor metallic deposit. Bellani's hydrometer indicates 0°.5 at + 15°.5 atmospheric warmth. Fifteen apothecary pounds contained in solid constituents:

Muriate of soda . . . . . . . . . 31.00 grains.

Muriate of magnesia . . . . . 8.50 „

Sulphate of soda . . . . . . . . . 17.75 „

Sulphate of lime . . . . . . . . . 13.50 „

The chalybeate springs of Sa. Caterina in Valfurva have clear, odorless water, of a pungent-sourish and astringent-saline taste. Upon standing still, an abundant sediment of iron particles settles out. Bellani's hydrometer indicated 0°.5 at + 18° R. air temperature. Twelve apothecary pounds contained, in an analysis performed upon this water at Sondrio in August 1822:

Free carbonic acid gas . . . . . 29.50 grains.

Carbonate of iron . . . . . . . . . 35.30 „

Carbonate of lime . . . . . . . . . . 21.00 „

Carbonate of magnesia . . . . . . 13.50 „

Muriate of soda . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.00 „

Sulphate of soda . . . . . . . . 26.00 „

Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00.75 „

Since these springs lie in a marshy area and are not shielded from the infiltration of other waters, the above proportions of their constituents cannot be regarded as fixed either.

The foremost branch of industry in the province of Sondrio, besides the already mentioned viticulture, is livestock breeding. The cheese and silk cocoons, which are mostly sold to the neighboring provinces, are of minor importance.

Manufacturing industry has hitherto been limited to linen and coarse cloth, which was produced merely for domestic demand. Honorable mention is due to the new and handsome cotton spinning mill of Mr. Strinhaver in Chiavenna, where machinery is employed, a multitude of poor people find employment and bread, and the children engaged therein, otherwise left to idleness, become accustomed at an early age to useful activity.