The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-17
North CarOlina-Its Resources,
n Climate, and General Ad-
vantaQeS. &c.

" d5Olci lHc -HHT yfofI
fdrmer, whose editor specially re-
quested it. 1t will bear rcproduc-
ton in these columns.-ED. T. < VI.
Office Of the Department Of Ag~ricultnre.
RALEIGH, y. c., Nov. 2sth. 1871.
MY DEAR SIR Your very kind
favor of the 18th inst, in which YOU
do me the honor TO ask for informa-
ton in regard to our State, for publ
cation In your valuable journal, would
nave received attention earlier, but for
my absence. l hasten 10 avail myself
of your protfered kindness, and do so
b more readily, since while comply
ing with your request, l may in some
measure meet the actively increasing
demand for information, in your own
and the more Northern States, as is
evinced by the numerous letters Of en-
qulry daily received at this office.
The State of North Carolina contains
an area of so, 704 square miles, making
it in extent about the same as that of
the State of New York. 1t extends
from the Atlantic Ocean westward AS
mlles-one hundred miles beyond the
Blue Ridge mountaineering it a
greater breadth..of longitude than any
of the original thirteen states. and is
included between the parallels of "a
degrees and 36t degrees. 1t is natural
ly divided into three sections-the
eastern, middle, and western. The
eastern section is nearly level-with a
soil sandy and alluvial, large areas of
which are underlaid with immense
beds of valuable mari, and extends
from the sea coast westward about $50
miles, to aline drawn from the North
to the South across the State, and pass
ing a little east of Raleigh. The mid
die section extends from this line,
where it's elevation is 200 to 300 feet,
to the base of the mountain range,
where it reaches an elevation of 1000
feet. The western section extends to
the Tennessee line, embracing the
mountainous plateau, with an eleva-
ton of about $500 feet through which
runs chains Of Mountains, some of
whose peaks reach an elevation OF
nearly 1000 feet-the highest east OF
the Rocky Mountains.
In the east, the pine predominates,
yet vast quantities of cypress, irnipel
and other valuable timbers are found.
The middle and western sections are
covered with magnificent forests OF
oaks, hickory, walnut, poplar, &c, &c
Gradually sloping from the noun.
tains to the sea, and traversed by sever
large rivers, which are fed by numer
Gus tributaries, we have one of the
finest watered, and best drained coun.
tries in the world. Our water powers
are simply immense-sufficient for {
continent, and are not confined to the
mountain region as many would
naturally suppose. but are found in al
sections of the State.
We have owe 100 miles of railroad.
in operation, with an inland naviga
ton of about 900 miles, which can bt
greatly increased, affording us access
to the markets Of Charleston, VIII
mingtOn, Newbern, Norfolk and Rich
mond, and an outlet to the great mar
kets of the world. To this | may ado
other projected lines of railway, who's,
completion will greatly enlarge on
facilities for transportation and com
merclal intercourse, and prominen
among which, is the Western Nortl
Carolina Railroad, which, when com
pleted, with its contemplated connec
tlons, will traverse the whole length
of the State, and furnish the shortes
route from the Mississippi Valley t,
the Atlantic Coast.
Within the comprehensive range O
our climate, varying almost imper
ceptibly in its gradations as we 6,
from east to west, a person comm,
from the Gulf States or from New
York, can here find a temperatur
congenial and familiar. The annua
Ian Idll IL fo lICHco. SlOuuy udyS lou
rainy days 60 in the year. Annua
mean temperature 60 degrees (Fahren
heit)Dmean summer temperature :
degrees-mean winter 40 degrees
this. in the middle section, where
found the average climate.
To illustrate the great diversity Q
our soil and climate, l may state tina
we grow successfully, every produc
mentioned in the United States census
with perhaps one or two unimportan
exceptions, and l may add. that a
much may be truthfully said for tn
capabilities of thousands of singl
farms in this State.
The absurditY of the stereotxne