Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-04-07

(Ooncluded.)
CIVIL WAR,

neys with blackened earth and sc0rcheC
trees, that shaded in happier days the
peaceful and frugal homes of contented
families, tell silently but powerfully the
horrors the people endured during the
trying scenes of the contest. Yet not
withstanding these calamlties and mis-,
fortunes the 'tmemory of which is griev.
Gus to the souln we heard no words of il
will uttered against the government or the
men who leaving the North are making
their homes in the county. 1t would
be well for the South if all
her people could practice the wis
dom of Dickson county and entice
worthy men and women TO come in and
help to develop the great resources of the
country. Nothing shows more conclu-
sively the independence and thrift of the
| people than the fact that the
| PooRHoUsE
contains but ten inmates and is selfsup-
porting. The county owns for this pur-
pose 225 acres of rich land situated on
Jones Creek, about four miles from the
railroad The paupers are nearly all such
as are physically unable to work, or
women who have larger number of
children than they are able, without
homes, to provide for. Last year Dick
son county appropriated for the support of
COMMON SCHOOLS
the sum Of 81 800, and put into operation
a system of schools which, for want of
funds, was not kept up all the year. The
people seem to be alive to the necessity
of establishing good schools, and we no pc
to hear, at no distant day, of their pro-
gress in that particular. The
AGRICULTURAL FEATURES
of the county are as varied as its topogra-
ply. The county is for the most part
rolling, with deep red sub-soil, resting
usually upon a bed of ebert, which in
turn rests either upon limestone or, in
some cases, upon bed of soft sandstone.
In the river bottoms the land is
alluvium and exceedingly productive.
The valley of Harpeth and Turnbull
Creek bottom and the valleys of Jones'
Greek are as fine as any lands in the
State. Tobacco is raised only to small
extent in the county, although the land is
well adapted to its growth. One instance
was reported to us where 1880 pounds
were raised to the acre. Farmers rely
more upon stock and corn than tobacco.
Some of the finest mules to be found in
the State are raised in Dickson, the I'M
even surface of the country giving full
play and development to every muscle.
We also observed large focks of sheep
cient quantity of food through the winter
from the ferns and grasses growing in
sheltered coves and hooks. Blue grass
also shoots up spontaneously in many
parts of the county and supplies good
grazing to the stock that range the woods.
We observe with regret the ugly habit
which is practced in the county of
BURNING TIRE WOODS.
This destroys all the young timber and
leaves the remainder stunted and tough,
and almost unfit for sny purpose but fire.
wood. There is a superabundance of
timber in the county at present, but with
this practice, barbdrous we must term
it, not many years will elapse before the
timbered lands will become the most valu-
able in the county. We see no good end
to be subserYed by this burning, but can
see much harm that can be done, besides
destroying the timber, such as exposing
the land to the sun, destroying the hu-
mus, and endangering fences and houses.
We also regretted TO see so many of the
people blowing with one horse only, on
rolling lands. Such lands ought to be
deeply plowed to prevent washing and
kept well covered. More clover and
deeper blowing would double the pro
ducts of Dickson, to say nothing of the
enhancement in value which the lands
would receive.
We were struck with the prevalence of
wild
GRAPE VINES,
which we were assured yield beautifully
every year. There can be no question
that the people of Dickson could diversity
their crops and multiply their profits by
the introduction of the culture of
grapes and other fruits. The cherry mass
that underlies their soil forms an excellent
natural drainage which is-the very life
of the grape. We trust, since the white
men have gone to work, they will intro
duce this crop which requires more judg-
ment and tact than would necessarily be
expected of the unintelligent labor which
was relied upon before the war. The
FARMERS CLUB
also, which was organized in the town of
Charlotte, on the 2lst of last January,
can do much TO forward such adventures,
and by gathering and disseminating such
information as the county stands in need
of, can make itself beacon light to
direct the uninformed into the paths of
progress, profit and prosperity. Al \
most all the products of Tennessee
grow well in Dickson county when they
receive proper cultere. Wheat, rye,
hsy, oats, corn, tobacco, maple sugar,
and live stock, are the principal staples.
In some parts of the county the peach
rarely ever fails. Apples grow well, and
most of the smaller fruits.
PETROLEUM
has been found on Jones' creek, and will
probably be some day source of wealth
to the State.
MATERIALS FOB BUILDING
are ample. Timber of the finest quality,
and limestone abound. A species of
soft sandstone that may be sawed or cut
into blocks, which hardens upon expos
ure, is much used for building chimneys.
THE PEOPLE
are noted for their socisbility and hospi-
tality. They live well upon the products
of their farms, and upon the wild game
that still abounds in the county. Frugal
and industrious and unsmbitious of os-
tentation, they prefer bountiful supply
of good food to the decorations of dress.
Alarge proportion of the people manufac-
ture their own clothing. They have
high and correct appreciation of learning
and knowledge, and are anxious to secure
for their children educational advantages,
as is shown by the fact that it is one of
three counties only in the State that has
levied tax for school purposes.
Content to live within their
income, no false notions of decency OF
propriety ever tempt them to 60 beyond
their ability to pay. Their devotion to
duty is extreme. During our stay in
Charlo tie, which was the week of Circuit
Court, we heard no person called that
did not answer Immediately to his name.
Right and justice are cherished doctrines
with them. No prejudice or preconcelv-
ed notions can turn them from the straight
moth of dutv We Witnessed the trial oT