The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1890-12-04
VOL. VII.

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leading centres Of industries in the
Southern States east OF the Mississippi,
demonstrated the wonderful progress
the South is making in every line
of industry. II the people OF the North
understood the material interests oil
the South as they really are, and ap-
preciated the steady and rapid ad-
vancements not only in the develop
ment oil the mineral wealth OF those
States, but also in the growth OF agri'
cultural interests, it would be oi
priceless benefit to both sections.
The Montgomery Exposition, now
Just sed, was a most interesting
study to any Northern visitor who
has been accustomed to the State
Fairs of Pennsylvania. 1t exhibited
the remarkable progress that TIE
South ia making in the cultivati IN oi
the fertile lands OF that region. We
have seen many S'ate exhibitions OF
the agricultural products OF Pennysl'
vania, where we point with just pride
TO our excellent farms, but we never
witnessed a display Of the products oi
the fold that equals the display oI
the irncrs Of Alabama.
TIL, common idea OF the North il
that the industrial p ogress Of the
South is wholly or chiefly in the coal
iron, etc, OF that section, but it is an
error. Our people know OF Birming
ham and the many industrial centres
which have sprung up as if by magic
because OF development of iron, coal
etc, but the very important fact is
very generally overlooked that the
Advancement of agriculture OF TIE
South is fully abreast with the growth
in other industries. In all the South
ern States East of the Mississippi
from Virginia and Kentucky down tC
the Gulf, there has been rapid
growth in the iNrmiCg industry. The
old system Of large plantations is rap
idly yielding to small farms purchased
or leased by both races who worl
their own fields, and the result is tina
the products OF the land are doubled
and trebled by the better tilling tina
lrevails.
Ten years ago The Times pointed t(
the advantages of the South over thu
West for farming emigration, anC
each year has proved more clearly
the wisdom OF the suges ion. There
are to-day cheaper and more produc
tive lands, with better climate and ac
cess to markets, in all the Southern
States East OF the Mississippi, nclud
ing Alabama, Florida and Mississippi
than can be found in any Of the West
ern States. Georgia was the earlies
OF the reconstructed States to advance
in agriculture, but the Virginias,t thu
Carolnas, the Gulf States OF Florida
Alabama, Mississippi, 7 nnessee an'
Kentucky have advanced in rapit
strides, and the o!d plantation system
has almost entirely disappeared be
fore the progress OF better methods o
cultivation.
Even Mississippi, where there i
little or no mineral development tt
attract the capital and skilled labo
which so speedily transform ever!
community in the South wher
they locate. there is now visible an'
substantial advancement. The cit.
of Meriden, with only agriculture
wealth To quicken its growth, toda..
exhibits more energy, more progress
and better architecture than can b'
found in any Of our agricultural town
IN Pennyslvania, and capital ia a
safely inve ted there as in any sectio
of the North and at increased ratei
The orov .h OF agricultural advance
ment IS Naturally slower Il an IN
growth of the commutities created b
mineral devclopement, but the on
most gartifying prospect in the Sout
now is the positive, steady and sui
stantial Improvement of the vast at
ricultural resources ofthc reconstruc
ed States.
Alabama logically leads her sistC
States OF the South IN the develol
ment Of wealth because there is II
State in the Union with an equal con
binuation Of wealth in the field, !
forest, in mine, in mill and in natur;
highways TO markets of the worl
and it is specially gratifying to moi
that while her cities suddenly create
by her proiusion OF iron, coal an
limestone in close proximity, hay
sprung up in startling suddennes
but on sure foundations, her ferti
lands, are clpable of outstrippir
Pennsylvania in wheat and corn al
equaling any State in cotton, ha'
made her agricultural industry rapi
ly advance in both product and pr
fit, ard her forests Of virgin timh
are greatly swelling the wealth OF Il
State.
Ten years ago Birmingham, q
first of the great iron centres OF Il
far South, was struggling villa
skirted with forest, and conscrvati
business men feared the prrmsnen
of its growth; but to-day it is su
stantial city OF 10000, with infa
cities springing up around it, and bu
ness credit is now as well establish