The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-27
NOVEMBER -. 1871
agricultural.
Letter from an Observant L ennsyl-
Vanian.
BERRYsBURG, Dauphin Co.. Pa

LIN "n'h", hdupIll1 w., i Il.
Editors Farmer and Hechanic:
DEAR SIR During the month Of Octo-
Der | made a short trip to North Carolina
for the purpose of observation, or to make
a tour OF prospecting, with Il view to make
North Carolina my future home. 1t is true
l was somewhat disappointed in regard to
the general contour Of the country, and must
say that farming is somewhat backward and
poorly done, IN many places. | have seen
many places which are inviting, and where |
could make myself at home. Was particu-
larly pleased with the country around
Greensboro,- Guildford county. Between
Greensboro and Raleigh are many fine farms,
but it will be a long while before it will COM
pare with farms III Dauphin county, Pa, or
Pennsylvania in general. The soil of North
Carolina is good and fertile i'm the main, so
far as my observation extended. Some very
fertile and easy of cultivation. Timber is
wanting In many places. The climate IS in
viting and the people are very friendly and
hospitable, but there are rather too many
negroes for most of us Northern folks.
| am not satisfied with my visit, but in
tend to make another visit till next summer
fmy life and health Is spared, and then
take more time and Il more proper season.
At Raleigh L made the acquaintance with
many eminent men. Col. Polk is more than
an ordinary man iii my opinion, just the
man for the place he occupies, and | have
no doubt he will advance the farming inter
est Of the State materially. There is one
great fault with most of the farmers, they
are too laggard in outstanding homemade
manure, or barn-yard manure which IS alb
solutely necessary to bring up their farms.
One man told me at Raleigh, that he had %
heads of cattle, yet never saved a buShel of
manure from them all. \ farmer here with
such a lot of cattle will make a hundred
loads of the best manure in one year, a
thing which he needs as much as money, In
fact without his manure heap he will make
no money. | noticed Improvements going
on in most places through Virginia and
North Carolina, which is encouraging.
While in Raleigh | visited the office of the
FARMER AND MECHANIC with the object to
make the personal acquaintance OF the man
who writes the sketches headed Three
Years in Battle and Three in Prison" [
am sorry | failed to see you and have a chat
with YOU. Sir, YOU give the most minute
and truthful history of our unnatural strife,
that | have yet read, and must say | read
several so-called histories. | met Mr.. Dowd
in the office, Il gentleman OF more than ordl-
nary ~politeness, was entertained for an hour,
very agreeably, but | never tire III company
with such men. | wish the FARMER AND
vi TT Sbt1CS~' - 4 10 lIO = olIlI
paper | have Yet seen. May it live long.
Yours, respectfully,
Con. HOFFMAN.
We regret not meeting Mr.. Hoffman. He
evidently looked about him with an obscr-
want eve, and his suggestions are those so
often urged by intelligent men all over the
South. He, however, came IN the worst
season to view the country, as the vegeta-
ton is all gone, the roads bad, and the
dreariness of coming winter already felt.
He also saw only the central. not the best
section Of the State. NiHe-tCnths OF North
Carolina Is troubled with two much, rather
than too little, timber.
If the Democrats take possession Of the
country next year. we shall hope for a glori-
Gus future for the old North State. The
very fact that Democrats are in control of
National affairs, will go far to remove all
chafeing between the North and the South.
4 Democratic President would appoint
many Southerners to office III the Revenue,
the Postoffice, and other departments. and
this would tend to make the masses begin to
regard the Federal government as the gov
ernment of their Otcn country, instead OF be
ing, as now, a foreign government, hostile
to the majority of our people.
If Seymour. or Bayard, or Hancock, or
Hendricks. be elected next year, we shall
urge the North Carolina Legislature to make
a strenuous effort, at the North, and in
Europe, to fill the State with thrifty small
farmers. Until there is some surety OF an
unsectional administration of National at
fairs, We utterly des. il of doing anything
in the way Of immigration. Nevertheless,
we trust Mr.. Hoffman will come again IN the
spring and bring some of his friends with
him.
TorD~>,U>rc Tho d,vc Of chiyalry are