The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-01-23
sheep, cattle and swine pay handsome

L. We find that all occupations pur-
sued for profit, whether in trade. law,
agriculture. mechanics, manufactures,
when pursued here with the same per
sistency and methods as other coun-
tries, Weld as large returns with less
strain.
18th. We find hat to the west Of the
Piedmont belt is a vast extent of noun
tain country nearly 200 miles in width.
This is composed Of high table lands
rich in natural grasses of most succu-
lent character; fine mountain slopes
not too precipitous, and narrow val
leys of the most productive kind. The
altitude of the country is from l, 100
to 3, 300 feet above the sea-; its atmos-
phere is singularly rare and pure. Fine
mineral springs abound, and these dis
tricts have already attained eminence
as health and pleasure resorts. 1t con
tains mountains and spurs, cascades
| and other scenic details which give it
note for the grand and picturesque.
Its forests comprise al the woods emu
merated in the Piedmont range Ii IS
more sparsely settled than the eastern
range and much of 1t is remote from
lines of travel. 1t is rich in all kinds
of mineral wealth, and its mines of
copper, mica, iron and corundum are
yielding handsome profits to their OPP
orators. Owing to its altitude, its
winter climate is more rigorous,
though the winters are short. There
are narrow zones along the TANKS OF
various mountain ranges known as
frostless belts. They vary from a few
rods to several hundred yards IN width;
these boundaries are very narrowly de
fined and remain permanent" Within
these favored lines fruits, whether of
the tree, vine or shrub are never struck
By frost. It's capacities and capabili-
ties for stock growing, its ample water
power, its immense forests and fine
lands, its healthful climate and great
stretches Of ~unoccupied cheap lands
mark ii as a stretch Of countryc apable
Of supporting a vast industrial as well
as health seeking people.
l4tl. We find that through any Of
these several distinctive belts of coun-
try of the whole South, un%improved
lands can be had at prices ranging
from IS cents to SO per acre, Deepen
lent on remoteness from town and
rail; that improved lands can be had
81 from 50 TO $50 per acre.
18th. That at no distant day the lines
Of railway now reaching from the South
Atlantic seaboard, and ONLY impeded
in finding their way through the Blue
Ridge mountains, will make the ports
Of Southern States the shipping points
for the surplus grain and meat pro-
ducts of the West rather than follow
the lines to the Northern seab0ard and
lakes SO often blockaded by snow in
the transit, and arriving late and part
~ damaged at ice bound ports.
10Th. nat manufactures at the
South are receiving good attention,
and that more than ten extensive cot
ton factories. numbering more than
200, 900 spindles, are in successful OPP
Grafton by a union of native and Nor
them capital, and that several hun
dreds of cotton factories, averaging
from 1, 900 to 10. 900 spindles, are in
successful and profitable operation
along the water courses, with album
dant room for other and larger facto-
ries; that these factories are mainly
owned and managed by Southern peo-
pie and the operatives come from the
native white population. We find
these several sources OF profit in cotton
manufacture which are lost in the
North:
1st. The factories are in the fields Of
production; the producer ans manu-,
facturer are brought together, and the
profit Of the interchange remains at
home.
End. Saving Of transportation Of
raw material and return Of manufacs
tured fabrics.
3rd. The tolls of cotton ginning en-.
ter into manufacture with the other
savings as a source of profit.
18th the cost of water power is nomi<
nal, properly speaking; nothing but
the building of a cheap wooden dam
and rude canals; the streams never.
freeze in winter For go dry in summer;
no loss of time.
9Th. Exceeding c~heapness of build,
ing material and common labor.
9th. C~heapness of fuel; wood not
II dollar and twenty-five cents Il
cord.
eth. Factories need not be heated
to exceed 40 days per year.
Sth. A good home market in a
country where the money crop being
cotton, means cash. and not trade for
that crop, and home product selling
side by side with tho Northern made
article at the same price, throws cost Of
freight, &c, into the pocket Of the
Southern manufacturer, SO that which
constitutes two items Of expense in the
Northern manufacturer becomes two
profits to the Sontherncr.
Il. We find that the modes of agria
culture pursued at the South are
s~trap0a1y thriftiaaS. hot tbo ;o,,los