The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-03-12

trated in the grocery business, while in
other lines the tendency is gradually but
strongly in the same direction. Custom
in this line extends as far South as the
railroads reach. The bulk of the trade,
however, is in Virginia and the Carolinas.
The sales in this line were last year
SII,925, ooc, the capital invested being
81, ZOO 900.
The trade in fancy groceries, tobaccos,
&c, has grown to be special line, and
is represented by houses of strength and
character. All the advantages in the
grocery business proper pertain to this
line. The sales were S2.447.5oo last year,
and the capital invested is $4,000.
Coffee roasting and grinding and the
manufacture of spices has also assumed
an important position, and is growing in
extent continually.
The ability to fill orders promptly with
fresh goods, which the complete equip
ments enable to be done, is highly appre-
ciated by dealers in all the tributary
country.
Closely connected with the grocery
trade is the WhOlesaling of -four, which
has reached proportions greater than any
other southern city. Large houses are
engaged in this special line, and great
quantities are shipped to all points in
this territory.
The trade in confectionery am counts in
itself to quite 100000 yearly, and has
enjoyed its share of the general increase
that the recognized merit of Richmond
goods SO we'll deserves.
The foregoing lines of trade include
some of the largest and best-known firms
in the South.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
This has been an important branch OF
Richmond's trade for a number of years,
and from small beginning jobbing
| houses have grown to command large
and extended trade in Virginia, North
and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee,
West Virginia, and Kentucky. This
| line enjoyed its share of increase In the
general trade last year, the sales amount
| ing to $I,S47 900 on capital Of $3.50, 900.
Southern dealers may be supplied in
Richmond with goods especially suitable
| to their trade-a fact true of all lines.
! HARDWARE AND IMPLEMENTS.
The hardware houses of Richmond
| can successfully compete for the trade in
their own territory with any other point
All goods of the best standard makers
/
obtain goods on as good terms as other
merchants, they are able to make as good
prices The principal trade is in Vir-
ginia and the Carolinas, though many
goods are sold in adjoining States. The
capital invested IN this line is $32o, 900
and the annual sales are upward of a
million dollars.
Agricultural implements constitute q
large share of Richmond's business, as
the wide area of agricultural country
tributary makes this an important dis
tributing centre. The implements anC
machines Of the best-known makers are
handled in large quantities and trade i:
continually increasing, the sales last veal
amounting to upwards of half a million
dollars. Besides the dealers there art
several manufacturers of farm machinery
plows. &c, with annual sales of owe
three hundred thousand dollars.
CRoCKERY
At the beginning of the year the CAPT
tai invested in the China and glassware
trade was $4,000, and the annual sale
reached over three hundred thouSant
dollars. Stocks in this line are mos
complete in quality, variety, and style
and dealers can obtain goods on term
dS dtiO SdtiSldltofy dS CtoC"hOiS
Trade is obtained in Virginia. West Vii
ginia, North and South Carolina. and
increasing at rapid rate.
CLOTHING.
, One hundred thousand dollars repre-
sents the capital invested in this bushes:
and $500. 900 the annual sales. Richmon'
stocks will be found much more satisfac
tory than those of most of their norther
.. rivals, as they are selected with speCia
; attention to the peculiar demands Of tn
.. trade, familiarity in which dealers full
, possess.
COMMISSION.
This is very large line of Richmond
E trade, though the nature Of it prevents a
z accurate estimate of its extent in do
!. lars. Its ramihcations extend througho,
e the entire list of farm products, from tn
E produce of the truck garden to the GRO
: Of the tobacco plantation. There al
: houses of note engaged in d gener