The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-03
Crops I'm the South and West.
4 RIcHMoNDERs VISIT TO TENSEssEE-HIs
EXPLORATION OF NORIELLs CAVE, &C.
Correspondence Of r,e Richmond Dispatch.l

/ RICHMONDENs VISIT 1o 1bNNESSLL hiS
EXPLORATION or NOREELL's CAVE, &C.
Correspondence Of r,e Richmond DIspatch.l
UNION, SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn
MAY ., 1882.
As ] know you would be glad to hear
good agricultural news | write you few
lines from this section, which, though over
three hundred miles from Richmond, is
naturally part Of our vast back country.
The crop Of wheat is most promising, and
not the least part OF the glad tidings is at
the same time its great abundance. People
likely TO know about crops tell me the pres
ent wheat crop in Virginia, North Caro-
lima. South Carolina, Tennessee, and Geor-
gia is the largest within their recollection.
IL is quite reasonable that the farmers
should have Sowed extensively OF small
grain. when we remember the corn crop OF
last summer was 50 great a failure, and the
fall was favorable from its mild tempera-
turc and moisture for getting in large
crop Of the smaller grain.
have recently been through the middle
and western portions OF North Carolina,
South Carolina, and a little OF the eastern
portion Of Tennessee, as well as a good
deal OF Virginia in various directions, and,
il may venture an opinion, the cereal crop
is splendidly promising. Its color i a
beautiful dark green, and has no appear
ance Of the nip Of frost. We have been
passing through season Of great scarcity
OF many necessaries for food. corn espe-
cially, the short supply Of which mas tinted
everything with aspect Of scarcity and
want. Butter, eggs, fowl, and meats have
all been inferior and scant, and the corner
stone OF all these is corn. The western
editor, who. despairing Of support for his
paper. POLITICALLY exclaimed, "Oh, | wish /
was a goose. wish | was 4 goose all for
loTn, all forlorn. I'd cumulate much grease
eating OF corn" would this season THAT,
we hope. is now passing away have chosen
some other figure for consolation.
| was surprised 10 find that such inn
mense quantities of fertilizers are now be-
ing used by Che farmers even in mountain
districts. | notice particularly the fertili-
zers Of Richmond companies aS abounding
IN use and popularity throughout the cOun-
trv. Nature and location has done every
thing for Richmond. She only wants
more enterprising businessmen, manufac-
turers, traders. workcrs-not Spectators.
Speculaio-S. are OF no value TO trade or
morals. The grass will not grow where
they tread. Industry and business should
be our watchwords.
| have Just returned from trip up the
HolstOn riyer-Only q few miles-a river
like the upper mountain Roanoke and the
Greenbrer, perpctually clear as heavenly
waters, and rolling over pebbles and bOuld-
ers that light their pathway with glittering
radiance. No chils and fever, no drifting
miaSma, no mosquitoes, disturb these happy
mountain valleys.
! was tempted, as il was near at hand,
and represented as a remarkable under
ground cavern, 10 visit the " NOrrell Cave
situated about two and a half miles from
Union depot. on the Tennessee railroad,
and about ten miles from Bristol. 1t lies
east Of Union, is on the farm OF Mr..
f. :. Worley. half mile from the lIolston
river, and has been explored for three
miles from its mouth. The stream
OF water that ushers from it, or that is DIS
closed ut intervals in it, interior, emerges
at the mouth OF the cave or just below lis
entrance, and there in the outer world
forms IA small lake. II then sinks away 100
feet underground, and emerges again near
the IiOlstOn, and turns there considerable
mill. / shall not undertake description
OF this wonderful cave that we trayersed
for over mile and back. II would be too
great task. II i a subject, too, wei cal
culated to arouse the imagination. have
felt almost wild ever since | came out OF 1t,
and must keep its inspirations to myself.
II was enough TO hear the old 'darky's
("Uncle Billy's") eXclamations as he
and followed the guide with our
two lanterns and hghtwood torches.
"Lord, MASTER" said he. ~ never came
in this great place before. often came
here wild de ladies aud gemmen, but |
always staid at de moui tel dey come back.
But is glad dat | come in hearh, now that
| see these great halls and arches, like a
sky under ground, with meeting-houses
and camp-grounds and good clear water
all de time to drink" The formations are
doubtless like those OF other caves. and
| from its nearness TO the railroad and
grandeur il should attract public attention.
! The owner, Mr.. +. ;. Worley, and his
obliging and intelligent family showed me
the most polite attention, and ] came away
loaded with specimens OF the formations
OF the cave. I.