The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-03-01

toms, industries, &C. differ from those
of North Carolina. To begin with the
people, they are at least a size larger
than with YOU; especially is this
noticeable among the women, three
fourths of wnom here in Louisville
will tip the scales at $50 pounds.
Such magnificent physiques l have
seen no where else, North or South,
AS whole the people are more in
telligent than in North Carolina up
to a certain point. They have bet
ter school system why tn ere
is one public school building here in
Louisville which cost $3.50. 900; as
much, if am not mistaken, as the
entire yearl y appropriation for pub,
lie schools in North Carolina. !
don't understand why such discrep-
ancies exist. Assuming that educa-
ton is the basis of wealth, North
Carolina is indeed in a poverty
stricken condition..
Then another very striking differ
ence is the manner of farming. which
is carried on here almost entirely by
machinery. Harrows, reapers, NOW
ers, corn planters, and indeed every
machine which is capable Of aiding
in farming operations. is in use here
among the farmers. They make
money too. A farmer with one hun
dred acres of land is considered we'll
off anywhere IN the State. They
don't make much cotton-corn, hay,
and tobacco being the principal farm
products. One thing-and to my
thinking. the thing most conducive
to the success OF the Kentucky farm
ers. is the fact that they raise their
own supplies on their own farms and
all their meat. meal, and stock food
town for meat and supplies, a..d
giving mortgages On the crop, the in
terest and principal Of which per
haps equal the years work when
the day of settlement comes. l only
echo the sentiments Of men much
wiser than myself when | say that
until our farming people stop plant
ing So much cotton and begin to pay
more attention to making all they
need on their own farms, there will
be no more money in the busin ess
team now and farming, once consid-
red the uost independent of all in
dustries, will become the most de.
pendent. YOu all know these things,
however. as we'll or better than do,
and my object is not to ''retcll old
tales but to tell you something
new Land i'll Kentucky is worth
ten times as much as in North Caro-
lima Why it is don't know; but
it is none the less true. Land sells
here Uarm land). at from ten dollars
TO ten hund,'ed dollars an acre.
know a gentleman, whose farm lies
about eight miles from this city, a
farm consisting of nearly two hun
ared acres, whi,.h cost him $4,000,
or nearly 5000 all acre. He raises
blooded stock, and as his is one OF
the finest in kentucky, and as | have
an invitation to pay it visit in my
next [ hope to he able to give your
readers some .dea OF this. the best
paying business in the State. 1t is
an occupation constantly growing in
favor-almost every farmer has in
connection width his regular business
a small stock farm, and it is these
stock farms, small prairies o" grass
In themselves, which first strike the
eye and please the fancy OF the trav
eller through Kentucky. From Louis
willie to Lexington the Railroad runs
through the Blue Grass belt, the
richest part Of KY, and the continu
Gus stretch Of grass growing farms,
with their herds of stock, horses, cat
tie, sheep and hogs. make picture
so captivating in it's reality as to be
uneqnaled by any work OF the i'm
agination. There isn't a wood o
fifty acres extent to be seen during
the entire distance of ninety six
miles. Just think of it-one big
field ninety-six miles long, with just
a few trees here and there to relieve
the monotonv.
With all its natural resources anC
prosperity, Kentucky, like othel
States. sometimes runs a.foul OF ad
versity's waves, and she is getting
it with heavy hand now all along
her N,'rthern bound ary through The
treshet in the Ohio River. Coving
ton, Catlettsburg and several o.he
towns and cities along it's course
have beer almost inundated, ant
Louisville's time seems to be coming
Ijudying by the appearance of th,
liver this morning. Hundreds 0
houses along the river in front of tn,
city, are submerged with water, ant
it is now half way up to main street
where the heaviest business of til,
city is done. 1t has only to come
half block to reach the street, but a
the level of main street is consider
:, ably above the river, unless til,
freshet is very much greater thar
usual, no imminent danger is appre
hended. Already property and good
have been damaged to the extent o
thousands of dollars and it is no
yet known how much more will b.
lost.
l was just about to bring my let.
ter to a close but hefOre dOinu 81