The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-04-18
he Pine Hills of Hi>sis-iDDi Il
see" by Parker Earle, Esq.
of Illinois.
From The Prairie FarmerI

KeliDf
pine region OF the South, to learn som,
thing OF the advantages it offers for frull
growing aud general farming Each .
these visits has deepened the favorable
Impression which the frsc one made an
ios after a soj0urn of several weeks il
The ''plney woods Of Southern Missis
slppi, feel impelleI to write you som .
thing about it,
My conviction is very decided that f,l
u great many Northern people, and 70
most purposes, tie pine woods district
along the
NEW ORLEANS, ST. LOUIS AND CHICAGO
RAILROAD,
from so to 80 miles north OF New Or
leans, offers much greater inducemeHt,
than most sections Of our far West
These advantages have been written up
more or less in the Northern press Tor
years past, bat the great tide thar flows
ever westward along the parallels Ct Iati
tude, has not been diverted in this dire
ton to any extent. There are two
causes for this that have prevented much
examination Of this section, viz: fear OF
the unsettled political and social condi-
ton Of the people, and fear of the eli
mate; and to this should be added the
/ general b ii impression that the whole
/ upland region of the South makes upon
most travellers, ami persons making u
| hasty inspection of the country, because
/ OF the sluvenly and impoverished appear
ance that so much of 1t presents. | wish
/ to consider each OF these points briefly.
! First as to the security of living. II |
may judge from my own experience and
/ observation in several localities, there i
| abundant safety and considerable social
welcome, awaiting Northern people WAC
90 there to make homes. There Is
/ doubtless much political soreness in the
entire South, and it is likely that the
active politicians, office seekers, and loud
talking promulgators Of extreme views,
had better ego West" But people who
''mean business" and 90 to southern
Mississippi to help build up the country,
will, | am sure, be very cordially re
ceived. 1t was my good fortune to meet
many intelligent men in that State, lead
ers OF opinion, agricultural, business and
professional men, and | found no differ
encc of views as to the desirabiiity Of Sc
curing Northern immigration. They
perfectly understand that Northern far
mers will bring about the so much needed
changes in the system of Southern hus-
blndry and that Northern energy and
capital will develop the vast dormant
resources of the State. The univer
sal expression is one of invitation
and cordiality to the Northern man
of business and man of the plow
do not get the impression that such en-
grants Will be asked any questions con
corning political affiliations.
Next as to health. The general opin-
ion needs good deal of correction on
this point. There is plenty of fever and
ague to be had in portions of Mississippi
in the bottoms Of the great river, and of
the Yazoo, the Big Black, and few
other streamsj b4t the upland region is
by egerybody's testimony very healthy,
particularly among the pine hills This
entire region, embracing about quarter
of the State, is high-from 300 to 400
feet above tide water-is very perfectly
drained has scarcely any swamps or
staguant water: has pure springs, and
clear gravel tottomed streams; and in
all respects seems as exempt from mala-
rial influence as portions of our country.
Everything considered, l think few
healthier sections can be found. The
summers a,e long and warm, but not SO
extremely hot as the hGt.e.t months are
at the North. Every day brings breeze
from the Gulf, and every night is cool
enough 80, refreshing rest. / have met
many people here .to~ various points
in the North. and all unite in pronGI9-
cling the climate both agreeable and
healthy.
Beyond any question the pine woods
ought to become a great winter resort not
only for those who have become debilita
ted, but for all who fear and dread
and how many do not--the trying rigors
of our Northern winters. This region is
in reach of the Northwestern farmer or
citizen at ne-halt the expense of going to
Florida and is for most persons Il better
climate, beng tonic rather than dehllltat-
ing The normal winter weather is clear,
dry and delightful. There are frequent
frosts, occasional sharp freezes, but the
chilliest mornings melt away into mild
and comfortable afternoons which invite
to outdoor saunterings The air Is dry,
the ground is dry the roads are hard and
the btee4es that rurmur through the
pines comes for miles through the vast
resinous forests. / shall not soon
forget the many sunny days
spent during the past winter wan
;iiering through~th the far extending pine
woods, giiQss Tranquil shadows and Elk
hilarating atmosphere persuade to long
rambles through these boundless natural
parks, whose millions of acres stretch
away in long undulations in every di-
rection. 1t was pleasanter and healthier,
and better than the courageous endur-
ance OF the unfinching cold of the prairie
winters
The people are mostly kind aud hos
pitable, the climate is inviting and
healthy. But what about the land? If
there is any weakness in the case,
think it comes in here. Certainly all of
this land looks poor enough; but its APP
pearance probably does it injustice. 1t
is all sandy soil, usually black on the
surface in the woods, but grey or yell
low as you go down. 1t is not light or
drifting sand, like much of Jersey and
Delaware, but it is pretty heavy and
compact and makes good roads The
sub-soil is heavier and generally richer
than the surface, but l don't think any
of it will be injured by manuring
Where it lies so as to be free from sur
face washing, it is very pleasant soil to
work With. and is susceptible of rapid
and permanent improvement. 1t can be
plowed at all times and in all seasons
without injury. 1t takes manure gladly
and holds it well, and with its help pro
duces abundant crops of all kinds. All
of the Northern cereals and fruits are
grown here, and mostly with success
when properly managed. I~have heard
many statements concerning the yield of
crops, from parties that I could not dis