Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1885-08-27
EAST TENNESSEE.
THE INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK
:, PROMISING AND HOPEFUL.
Interesting Letter of Assistant Commits
sioner Of Agriculture Charlton.

- ~ '.ie
The following letter from Col. c. W.
Charlton, assistant commissioner of agri-
culture for East Tennessee, contains mat
ter of very general interest, and shows
the situation and possibilities of this fav-
ored section:
Hon. A. J. McWhirtcr, Commissioner
etc, Nashville, Tenn.-Dear Sir: In an
swer to your inquiry as to "the improve
ments in agricultural methods" etc,
answer:
'The Improvements in agricultural
methods in East Tennessee" etc, while
they have not been marked or advanced
as could be desired, yet there has been
considerable improvement over former
methods. They have been confined, for
the most part, to II few farmers scattered
here and there over our section of the
State A better class Of plows have been
introduced, and with them better sys-
TEN of plowing has been the result.
Deeper tillagc is becoming more and more
an influential idea and a more effective
factor in grain and grass production.
The introduction of fertilizers ha. been
considerable. but whether real benefit
To our section is problematical 1t has
had the tendency TO superinduce too
much Indifference on the part of the
farmers TO the manure heap, result that
thoughtful agriculturists at least should
seriously deplore. confess that there is
a sad neglect Of the manure heap all
through East Tennessee The farmers,
in their hurry and impatience to produce
speedy crops, are constantly tempted to
invest in fertilizers to the utter neglect of
barnyard manure, while hundreds of
them actually make such investments.
The fertiizing feeling is becoming con
tagious, and | presume will take its
course. In but few barnyards do you
find compost heaps, and but few farmers
take the precaution to house and bed
their stock with an eye to the manufac-
ture of manure
That there has been a marked improve
ment in the introduction of improved
machinery, is n gratifying fact. | en-
sign. Improved threshers, mowers and
reapers have increased in the last decade
fully 100 per cent.
The divcrsiication of crops is not as
general as il should be. This wise plan
is adopted and vigorously prosecuted by |
a limited class of farmers only. The bulk |
of them do not. There is some progress
made in Introducing better class of ami
mals-horses, mules, hogs, cows, etc.
The celebrated Holstein COW has recently |
been introduced into this section. The
Percheron horse is now fixture and the
Jersey cattle have come to stay.
The whole of East Tennessee is one
vast orchard this season, The quantity
of all sorts of fruit is fabulous. Thou.
sands of bushels will go to waste.
The condition of labor and the finan-
cial and general condition of the farmer
are favorable. The laborer can find plen-
ty of work on farms, and at wages to
sustain him. The farmers themselves are
in good condition financially. They are
mostly ont of debt and are living comfort
ably. As Il consequence they are, more |
or less. turning their attention more and |
more to the improvement of their lands |
and their houses The old hOmesteads |
are giving way to better and more modern |
residences, and the proverbial East Ten |
nessec barn is being superseded by a more
comely and commanding one.
The industrial outlook Of East Tennes-
see is promising and hopeful. A number
OF fine Touring mills, roller process have
sprung up in various parts of our section
of the State in the last two years. Several
extensive tannerieS have been built at
considerable cost. Scveralfurnaces have
been erected. \ large number of woolen
mills are at work number of cotton
factories are busy. The marble interest
IS making grand strides and coming
money.
The mineral wealth of East Tennessee,
yet undeyelopcd, is simply enormous.
The vast possibilities in this direction are
sources of surprise When capital shall
have discovered and appreciated the ex-
tent and value Of our mineral resources,
East Tennessee viii become the Pitts
burg of the south Our mountains are
full Of iron and coal and only lack the
touch OF capital to unlock them and to
turn them loose upon the markets of the
world Truly, etc,
G. w. CHARLTON,
Assistant Commissioner for East Tennes-
see
-Ndshriue Union.