Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-03-07
FROM THE SUNNY SOUTH.
Three Months Experience of a
Buckeye in Cotton Raising.

EDITOR CHRONICLE With a title EN-.
bracing what is contained in the above
heading, a knight of the Quill might east.
ly write a book. Even my poor untaught
steel pen might construct in broken sen.
fences, an article too long for the columns
of a weekly paper had 1 the time to hu
NOR it a little. But in language more ex.
pressive than chaste, ITO shave q mon.
key when one has not the time, is a waste
of lather," besides there is convenient
logic [ to one who has but few ideas, at
least) in the maxim "BreVity is the soul
of wit"
There were four of US who left Old
Trumbull on the 18th of last December,
to seek our fortunes in the South. Three
of us had served long terms-not in Con
gress or States Prison-but in the United
States Army, and were somewhat familiar
with Southern ~battle-felds if not with
Southern cotton-felds- The former we
knew to be real. Through suffering came
victory, and with victory glory-by in
stallmentsi The latter (cotton felds) We
held in perspective. Our army expert
ence wa of great service to Us in determ-
lining upon locality. We had travelled
more or less over every state in the South.
We had rode with Sheridan, marched with
Sherman and FOUGHT with Grant and
Thomas. We now desired to permanent
ly locate in "the land by double valor
won," under such auspices as would best
enable US to secure the substantial part of
the installments above referred to. Cen
trail Mississippi or Alabama to u mind
suited us best. For the benefit of any of
our friends who NAV think of coming
South, 1 will give the reasons for this
choice. Though the soil here may not be
as rich as the Mississippi or Red river
bottoms or even other bottom lands of
the South, cotton is a much surer crop.
1t is not so apt to suffer with rust or be
troubled with the "BoWl worm" and is
not subject to be destroyed by overflow.
The climate is delightful. Preserving a
mean temperature between the oppres-
sive heat of the -sugar-gFoWing region
further South and the frosts of the North,
almost every kind of vegetable can be
successfully cultivated and stock can be
raised with profit. Not surpassed for cot
ton all things considered; good wheat,
oats, corn, barley and Irish potatoes can
be easily grown; while peaches, grapes.
sorghum and sweet potatoes grow almost
SpOAtoACOOslg. APplSos OAOAlACS' AS9 anu
apricots require attention while plumbs,
melons, squashes and pea nuts produce
abundantly. Most of this part of the
country is well watered with springs and
Gear running streams. Limestone un-
derlays the soil and crops out in many
places along the brow of hills and in the
beds of streams From the above you
would infer this to be a healthy country.
It is SO considered. 1t is perhaps not sur
passed in this respect by any other part
of the South.
But l have broken the thread of my
story, the 'three months experience" l
always did dislike details even while in
the army; especially those for fatigue and
picket. l will be pardoned for avoiding
them row.. OF our "trip down" it will be
sufficient to say that we came by rail-
road and boat to Cairo, Ill, and thence
via the Mobile and Ohio B. R. to place of
destination. Had several invitations to
take a 'ITiendly game" by fine looking
gentlemen on the boat, but gracefully
declined.n Some ~greenies on board who
went in" lost their money.