The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-05-10
THE PROSPEROUS SOUTH.

The Baltimore Manufacturers Rct-
art recently addressed letters OF en-
auiry to The Governors and CommIs-
sioners Of Agriculture of the South as
to the condition Of the agricultural
interests of their State, and :tpublishes
their replies in its issue of April 28-
Every letter tells of increasing pros
peritv, Of decreasing farm debts, OF
contented labor, and of a glorious fu-
ture which awaits the South, and as
the Record says, the correctness OF
their statements cannot be questioned,
and surely the picture which they have
painted IS a very bright one. The
GOLD LEAF presents below the letters
Of Governor Scales and Commissioner
Robinson, of North Carolina:
STATE OF North CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
RALEIGH, March FL, 1888. }
r. H. EDM0NDS,
Edj!or Manufacturers Record:
In answer to your favor ef the 10TH
inst, [ have the honor and pleasure to
give the following information:
Ist. The Agricultural interests Of
North Carolina ara most decidedly
improving. Our farmers are gradually
getting out of debt, improving their
farms, and are fast increasing the
number of labor-saving implements
and machinery in use. | have no
data concerning agricultural liens and
farm mortgages, but, from the in
creased prosperity of our people, l am
convinced that they are not near SO
numerous as in former years.
I'd. School facilities are improving
every year in North Carolina. In the
year 1871 the State expended for
common school education the sum of
$I7I,4o7.o4; in 1879 the sum of
$500, IS, and in 1886 the sum of
$653o37.33. These sums do not in
clude the amounts expended by our
cities and towns in supporting graded
schools. In large number of towns
these schools have been established,
and are maintained by public taxa
ton. The State University and the
three UNCONVENTIONAL colleges and the
large number Of private schools Of the
State are all well patronized and are
IN a prosperous condition.
sd. In the year 1870 the assessed
valuation of real and personal property
Of the State was sIo3,485,988; in 1880
it was s169,oI6.oo7; in 1887 it was
S2Io,o 35,453-shoWing an increase
Of over 100 per cent. since 1870.
Very respectfully yours,
A. NJ. SCALES. }
North CAROLINA,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
RALEIGH, March 20, 1888.
r. H. EDMONDS, ESQ,
EdIto,' Manufacturers Ref01A:
The agricultural interests of North
Carolina arc improving. The latest
statistical advice reaching the Depart
ment of Agriculture is matter for con-
graduation. The question of labor,
SO important to the farmer, is much
less complained of than a few years
ago. In reply to the question SIS
labor efficicnt?" sent to correspond
ents in every county of the State,
more than 50 per cent. of the replies
were in the affirmative. That the ag
ricultural condition is improving is
amply sustained by an examination of
the present condition of the farm and
the live stock upon it. We have had
a mild winter. Wheat, oats and rye
are in good condition the State over.
Farmers are encouraged and are dill
gently preparing for large crops of
corn, cotton and tobacco; they are
improving their farms and farm build
ings, and are adding improved nipple
ments to aid in cultlvating and har-
vestlng crops; they are manufacturing
large Quantities of homemade ma
nures in compost heaps; they are seed
ing more clover and grass, and are
learning to practice economy by pro-
ducing more of their domestic sup
plies The condition of live stock is
better than for several years. The
average Of all animals in the State is
ooM. This estimate includes horses,
mules, cattle, sheep and swine.
The educational facilities Of the
State are adequate and efficient. The
public schools are we'll patronized by
both races. There is a disposition to
raise the standard in colleges, and the
graded schools are becoming more
efficient. The State leads IN facilities
for the education Of the negro race.
They have an equal share in the pub
lie schools; have their own normal
schools and several large and sufi-
GENTLY endowed colleges.
Very truly yours,
john ROBINSON,