The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-10-15
what the Weed has Done for Tar
Pitch-'n-TurpentInia


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Prior to ISj2, the tobacco product Of
North CaroiIua was poor and ~insignii-
can't. 1t rated low in the markets Of the
world; but about that time two brothers,
Eli and Elisha SADIE, Of Ca,we!l county
iiFlng upon a poor ridge, between two
tributaries OF Dan river, made an cyreri-
ment IN It's culture. The soil was sandy,
aed IN comparison With the a luyium Of
the nver bottoms, was accounted u but
ltt.e value. They tried the experiment
OF growing tobacco upon this soil, and
succeeded 50 well that their nelghbors
soon caught the infection.
The tobacco grown upon this thin soil
assumed a lemon yellow while still stand
ing IN the ieiG, and when cured with
charcoal, retained Il, brilliant hues. Nor
was this all. II wa found that owing to
It's deficiency IN gums aud oils, IL would
retain this rich yellow color under power
tul pressure, and when used a. a wrap
per Tor plug, It came from the presses
without impairment Of It's D~Il.!laucy. In
this II eXcetied al. Other yellow tobacco.
Missouri, Arkansas, and " estcrn Ken
lucky, as also West Virginia, could pro-
duce tobacco Of a. lively ColOrs. but when
the crucial test was applied it showed a
notified color.
This fact gave a powerful impetus to
the growth OF yellow tobacco In North
Carolina aud Virginia. Old fields where
soils were considered worthless for n
purpose We're found t. be the mos, prof
liable portions 81 the farm. Where
nothing would grow bat the Wild bam-
boo, the persIulm0n, aud the chIuqUepln,
with old field pines, the sol ii soil 1t could
DC calied-was the best fitted for the pro
iugtion OF this golden leaf
Alter the war II was found that pow
e:ty in the soil in North Carolina was
the first principle OF agriculture. Marvc-
iou- tales are told Of how fortunes We're
mad IN a few years in gro EIng this TO-
bacco. 4 soldier, dis .harged from the
army, had nothing lett Dut a wife and
i've children. lie wa al object OF char
lry. Some compassionate friend loaned
INN an old army horse, and gave hiu
field for tobacco. This he did, putting
out a few acres, which, with the assis-
lance of his wI!c and children, he cult
waited. Being = palns-taklng mau, he
made a good cure Of his crop. and real
lzed for it enough to pay for the support
al his family, aud 20 buy a small farm.
Acre to acre was added yearly, and when
the writer visited the State In lnSO, this
gentleman was living in an elegant man
son, owned two OF three farms, had
$50, 600 out on interest, and was sending
his chItdrca To the best colleges in the
country.
Another gent.cual, IN Granville coun-
u, upon whom tals winter called, de-
ciared thai before ae began to raise gel
low tobacco the cn.Ire amount Of produce
which he made upon his farm Tor sale,
did not Weld him over 5000. lie refused
$1,000 iJr lis c.oT ot tobacco, in 1850,
as il hug III jhc barn>.
An amusing st0Gy Il told @: gu old
negro, who h.s never lad as much -
500 at ole tiHe ia his life. la 1879 his
crop Of Ecl.ow tobacco brought him,
much to his surprise, $500 in cash. lie
returned 10 his rlbin, called a. MS fami-
~, who had 90 { tn bed. aud spent the
night IN offering up prayer, aud singing
hymns for his great good fortune.
One man j. reported as having been 50
/ discouraged by the results Of the war, -
to seek an asylum 10 the ~poor-house,
/ There ha remained for five years, but
becoming tired OF his confinement,
sought q release. lie began to grow We
low tobacco, and in a few years died,
leaving an estate valued al 5000.
Those are a few Of The many turns OF
fortune. still spoken of il the yellow to
bacco district. The word has never
witnessed -uea ] remarkable transition
in the aunal, or agriculture a. that ID
North Carolina. Old towns that had tal-
len to decay. and old tarps and farm
hous ; that had been virtually abandon
Ell. suddenly caught new life. Money
became abundant new enterprises
sprung up new railroads were built;
splendid blocks of brick houses took the
place of dilapidated and broken-Sackec
frame buildings; school houses auc
churches rose like magic, in Il region
before distinguished only for the power
~ of its soil and the thriftlessueSs OF 1T
inhabitants Many new towns wer,
built. Colossal tobacco warehouses art
now seen scattered ali over this tobacco
growing district. Mammoth manuiac
turing establishments now send thel
products TO every part of the world, an'
thrift, prosperity, and energy have takei
the Place OF Iistlc>sness, decrepitude, an,
decay. Ard these results from lands, d
Tie main, regarded as valueless.