The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-11-07

Instantaneous.

Nix. EDITOR: | have watched
with great anxiety the course OF
agriculture in our State for the
last ten years; and nave read with
pride, Of its unsurpassed agrlcul-
tural. mineral, and manufacturing
resources, earnestly looking for
ward to the time, when, by deyel-
oping those resources. we should
raise it such a degree of pefcction,
as would rival the most progressive
Of our sister States. Having cast
my lot with the agricultural class
Of our country, | am especially IN
tcrested i'm its success; and mark
with great concern any backward
tendency, on the part Of those with
whom | have joined hands in the
work. Such Il tendency might
have been noted in Il late State
Fair in the lack OF enterprise, or
public spiritedness on the part OF
the farmers. The machinery depart
ment was well filled in every branch.
The manufacturing men generally,
showed no lack of industry in dis
playing their products. Even that
modest class who plead with such
tender sympathy the cause of III
oycrworked women. the sewing
machine-man Was there, displaying
with wonderful art the unparallel-
ed superiority of his machine.
While but for the unceasing labor
Of the Commissioner Of Agricul-
ture, the agricultural products of
the greater portion Of our State
wou.d not have been at all repre-
rented. We therefore cannot be
two grateful to Col. Polk for his
zeal and energy in IL cause. The
time will soon come when his de-
partmcnt viii be deemed indispen-
sible by all who feel an interest in
the welfare of our State; and sure
" no man can be found to fill the
Office of commissioner so well as
the present incumbent.
Notwithstanding the many long
and valuable articles printed of late
on sheep husbandry, be it said to
our shame, not a decent specimen
was TO be seen on the grounds. In
the name of our manhood and
State pride let up arouse ourselves
and do better. 5. IL.
Southern Mineral Deposits.
The lavish freedom with which
nature has strewn the subsoil of the
great South with all the metals and
minerals that cOnduce to the con-
venience and luxury Of mankind, is
beginning, though at somewhat of
Il late hour, to be appreciated, and
We are glad to see that Il disposition
IS now being manifested to heed the
repeated appeals the South has per-
sistcntly made to Northern capital
1878 10 give their attention to the
favorable opportunities for invest
mcnt III mining property close by
that is now open to them.
The Standard, a reliable journal
published in Abingdon, Va, re-
marks As an example of what
may be accomplished in Il brief
period, we made mention a month
AFRO, that Mr.. Wood c. Dollens, of
Kentucky, u practical geologist of
twenty years experience, passed
through Abingdon on his way to
Ash county, n. c., which Gen.
CIngman has often pronounced the
richest territory of its size on the
globe. This week he passed through
Abingdon again on his way to
Philadelphia, New York nd Bos-
ton, loaded with rich stores of
mineral specimens. In these thirty
days. within thirty miles of our
town, he has discovered, located
and made contracts for the pur-
chase of extensive deposits of cop
per, silver, mica, asbestos, agalma-
tolitc and nickel. The specimens
examined by the writer, and which
he was assured were average were
very beautiful. The copper from
Elk Knob, on the main tissure of
the vein running from Ore Knob to
DUCktOWn. consisted of massive