The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1893-07-13


nado action were observed, as the
blowing out of the ends of buildings by
the expansion of the air within, the
whirling of heavy articles from the
south to the north side of the storm,
etc. Quantities of shingles and timbers
were lifted up and scattered a bout. Its
chief effect seems to have been crush
ing action, and it's force is indicated by
the destruction of Burwelfs prize
house (G1, three-Story structure OF
brick strongly built.
1t was very dark at the time of the
storm, SO that persons within few
hundred feet of its track were not
aware of what was occurring. There
is no evidence that any one saw fun
nel-shaped cloud.
Commercial Bulb Culture in North Carolina
CIV. T.. Massey, Horticulturist, Experiment
Station)
The ease with which Towering bulbs
of all sorts are grown in North Caro-
lima satisfied me long ago that a profit
able industry could be built up here in
this line. Few people who are not
familiar with the flower trade realize
the vast sums spent annually for bulbs
Of Hyacint tbs, Tulips, NarcissuS, Lilies
and the like. Hundreds of thousands of
dollars are annually sent abroad to
Europe for these bulbs, all of which
can De as WelI, OF DetJef, grown IN
North Carolina.
Mr.. c. L. Allen, a leading New York
florist, seeing the superior quality of
Lily and Hyacinth bulbs sent from
North Carolina, wrote an article in the
American Agriculturist a year or SO
ago, urging the commercial culture OF
bulbs in North Carolina. The writer
of this has since tried to second Mr.
Allen in attracting attention to the
capacity of the State in this respect,
and it is likely that ere long men of
experience and means will start this
business here. In the Eastern part of
the State the culture of Tuberose bull BIS
has for years been matter of some
Importance, and the markets of New
York and London are mainly supplied
with North Carolina TuberoSe bulbs.
But the tuberose has lost its populari-
ty with fashionable people and the de-
mand for the bulbs has decreased.
But there are many other bulbs that
are used in increasing quantities an
nually that can be grown here as we'll
as Tuberoses. The best Lily soils in
the State are the black peaty lands of
the immediate coast. These are also
the best Hyacinth lands. Narcissus,
Roman Hyacinths, and Gladiolus are
better for the upland districts. The
Gladiolus particularly is more adap-
ted to the upland soils. Mr.. Allen
thinks that the Piedmont section is
best for all bulbs and have no doubt
that good bulbs can be grown all over
the State. But an experience in hand
ling and cultivating these bulbs for
over thirty years makes me feel GER
tain that for Lilies and Dutch Hya-
cinths, at least, the black soils of the
coast region are far superior to any
other in the State. They are in fact
the same character of soil as that of
Ill IL II
superior to that of Holland. If this
culture is once started in North Caro-
lima by men of experience there is no
doubt that q good and profitable in
dustry will be added to the State. At
tention is being attracted to the State
by articles written by Mr.. Allen and
myself. and lately a large Dutch grow
err of bulbs at HARLEM in Holland,
wrote to Mr.. Allen for further informa-
ton, saying that he is thinking of
transferring his business to this coun-
try. In speaking of soil needed, this
gentleman says of Hyacinths, ssthey
are planted in different grounds; one
year in a sandy one. another in a black
humus ground. Therefore it is of
great interest to choose a country
where different grounds are to be
found. Also that the ground must be
situated SO that it will not suffer from
drought, nor where the bulbs will be
drowned out" These conditions are
easily found in the coast country Of
North Carolina. We are strongly in
hopes that this gentleman may be in
duced to come here and start this BUSH
ness, which has been the source of SO
much wealth to Holland and for which
our soils and climate are far superior.
Since writing the foregoing Mr.. G. Z.
Allen writes that year or SO ago he
imported 100000 Lily bulbs from
Franco, which came in such bad order
that they were unfit to sell. HI sent
them to the neighborhood Of Southern
Pines and grew them there ne6eason.
The result. he states, was astounding.
Aftex one seasons growth IN North