The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-09-18

ANpERsoN, HOWARD Co., NJ

ANDERSON, HOWARD Co, MD.
$. II. Smckhousc, Esq Crystal Springs, Miss
DEAR SIR-Leariing that you are
in the trucking business to some extent
| write you for information on several
points relating TO this branch of farm.
ing in your State. | am engaged in
the raising of about 20 different kind,
of fruits .and vegetables, near Balti-
more Maryland, and have an idea
| that could make ii pay much better
ut the South; thus getting truck early
and realizing good prices. The bust
ness with us has become improbable
on account of over-production and
competition from the South-people
getting Il surfeit of such things before
ours comes on.
The questions which ! wish to ask
are these: For about how much can
improved land he bought on the line
of the railroad leading to st. Louis
and Chicago? >. Can such land be
leased readily? 8. Willmuch manure
be needed, and can ii be procured
cheaply? 4. Is labor abundant? 5. Is
the freight very high to the two cities
mentioned? How long does it take
for trains to make the trip: is your
climate healthy? Is society good :?
And lastly but not least, do you think
the business profitable, especially in
the raising Of Strawberries and toma-
toes on a large scale. Those are the
two crops that would make II special
ty of, but would raise such others ms
would bear shipment.
| would like to pay your section Il
visit this fall, please advise me
whether l could find sale for straw
berry plants with your eople, as l
have large lot of them-some fifteen
varieties-and expect to visit the South
to try and sell them. Fearing to
weary you with qestions and presum.
ing upon your good nature, etc, | will
c ose, hoping that you will not pass
this by without notice, am
Yours respectfully,
r. 5. COLE,
We take pleasure i'll answering the
above questions through THE COMET,
Us they will serve for Others who may
wish to come farther South. Lands
on the Railroad are worth from five to
twenty dollars per acre-of course it
depends ON on the quality and loca-
ton of the land. And there will be
no trouble either to lease or buy such
lands.
We don't think large amount of
money would be necessary, although
it is best to have some money. Have
never found any trouble about procur-
ing plenty of labor-this year have
had more than | needed. The freight
to Chicago and st. Louis-the two
leading cities to which our growers
ship, is from s. to 81 80 per hundred
by express, and 81 50 by fast freight.
Our lands require manure, but it is
not much trouble to procure CONNER
oal fertilizers. 1t generally takes the
and some less time to st. Louis; while |
the fast freight, by which some vege-
tables are shipped requires about 60
hours. Our climate is healthy, and |
schools and churches abundant, and |
society good. The business of raising |
and tomatoes for the
Western market, has proved quite
profitable heretofore; but like all
other kinds Of business, is liable to be
pveriOne. We think it will be some |
line before the early tomato business
5 oyerdone, as it requires more atten-
ion and trouble than most people
will take pains to give.
We will take pleasure at any time
II giving you whatinformation we pos
less as to our soil and climate