The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-07-10
Maj. E. G. Wall:

Holly Springs, Mss.
From the I4Ong Leaf Pine Region.
Maj. E. g. Wall:
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In accordance with your request, l will
give you brief description of this county.
Lawrence is one OF the old counties of the
State, having been formed out of Marion. in
1914, and constituting one of the original
fourteen counties. which framed the conSti-
tuition under which Mississippi was admit
ted to the Union in 1917.
LANDS, SOIL AND STOCK.
An impression prevails abroad that the
lands in the southern portion OF the State,
owing to want OF fertility, are not well
adapted to agricultural purposes. This is
partially true when applied TO the pine hills
and the level lands near the sea board; but
even these lands are not altogether unpro-
ductive, and they afford excellent grazing
for cattle and sheep almost throughout the
year. The lands, however.in the valleys of
the rivers and creeks are exceedingly pro-
ductive, and as well adapted to the culture
of sugar cane and rice, as of cotton and
com.
PEARL RIVER,
one of the most beautiful streams in the
South, runs from north to south almost GEN.
trally through this county. The valley of
the river is from three to six miles in
widtfI and few better or more attractive
agricultural regions can be found in the
State. The bottoms are heavily timbered
with sweet and black gum, white and red
oak, hickory and magnolia, interpreted
with a smaller growth of SaSSafraS, dog
wood, sumach, etc. The soil is usually a
black alluvial deposit, very rich, free from
standing water and very easy to cultivate.
Further back from the river are hammoc
lands also being fertile. Still further back
rise the pine hills affording unlimited sum-
mer range, while for winter pasturage the
bottoms supply large quantities of cane.
YELLOW PINE TIMBER.
These hills are densely covered with for
ests of yellow pine-the trees growing to a
great size. much larger than near the sea
board. Through these green hills pour
down to the river over gravelly beds, many
sparkling rivulets clear and beautiful as
the crystal springs from whence they ema-
nate. These streams are equal to those of
the mountains of Virginia; many of them
afford magnificent water power, capable
not only of running ordinary mills and
gins, but also large wooden and cotton fac
tories. Among the more mportant of
these streams emPtying into the central
river on the east side, are Crooked Greek.
Silver Creek, White Sand, and Green's
Creek; and on the west Bahala, Fair River,
Halls Creek, Cooper's Creek, TiltOn and
TOppisow. The valleys of these streams are
similar to that of the Pearl, though of less
rise the undulating hills, with their peren-
NAL emerald crowns of pines. | will adj,
for the benefit of the disciples of Walton,
that these clear creeks afford abundant sup
plies of delicious fish, while those hardly so
good. but of larger size, can be caught in
any quantity from the waters of the Pearl.
In the pine hills the wild deer and the tur-
K3y abound. 1t might be inferred from the
foregoing tina al The valuable land for agri
cultural purposes lies - the river and
creeks, but this is by no means I've case. L
doubt, ii, take il all in all, there is any -
ter land anv where. than what is called the
'',lry pine hollows." These level bottoms
have accumulated in the course of ages, BY
the washing OF vegetable matter, from the
hill sides, and are constantly being replen
ished from that source. Some of these hOl-
lows are quite ex ensive, containing hun
dreds of acres through the center OF which
usually runs creek, which, however, is
dry in summer. A crop seems never TO fail
in these fertile hollOws. No matter how
unprOpitiouS the seasons may be-, too wet or
too dry, the farmer here always boasts of
good crop. We have still another kind of
land called ''poor pine land" most of which
still belongs to the government. These
lands are covered with valuable forests. and
the day is not distant when the tim Der will
be in demand and all the level tracts are
susceptible of cultivation. And when
properly cultivated will produce tolerably
good crops of cotton and corn, and they
are peculiarly Wei dudplcd 10 I1C pIOuuc-
ton of the sweet potato.
THE STAPLE PRODUCTIONS OF THE COUNTY
are cotton and corn, but rice, tobacco and
sugar cane, can be, and are in some places
cultivated with the most satisfac-
tory results. In fact, as good sugar cane
can be raised here as in Louisiana, and /
predict that its cultivation will yet super
cede that of cotton. The Irish potato,
planted in January, turns ont fine yield
in May and June. Apples, figs, peaches,
pears and grapes are adapted
to the soil and climate, and nearly all the
grasses can be produced. Garden vegeta-
bleS of almost every kind can be raised
throughout the year. Compared with the
Northern States it may be said that we have
no winter. Monticello. the county seat, is
situated at the head of navigation on Pearl
river, though steamboats, often ascend to
GeOrgetowD, and sometimes to Jackson.th
capital of the State. The town has a large
elegant brick court house, one church and
one academy. 1t is twenty-five miles to
BrOOkhaven, on the New Orleans and Chi
cago Railroad, from which mails are receiv-
ed three times week. railroad has been
surveyed through this place from Vicksburg
to Ship Island.
will say, in conclusion, that for farmers
and stock raisers few more attractive reg
ions can be found. Land can be bought at
from $l.00 to $1,000 per acre. There is no
sameness about the country. 1t IS neither
too fat nor too hilly, but combination OF
rich bottom land and undulatng hills,
which send forth bold pellueid springs. As
| have stated, the river and creek bottoms
are f rifle, while back of them, and in close
proximity, stand the rampant of high hills
covered with native grass and illimitable
pine forests of valuable timber. These pine
hills probably constitute the healthiest reg
ion of country in the Union,
Respectfully, G., 5. MCMILLAN.
Monticello, Laurence county, Mss.