The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-03
GRAND TRADE EXHIBIT
The Chamber OF Commerce Issues a Com.
plsta and Most Interesting Pamphlet.
TREMENDOUS BUSINESS OF the PORT
The Coal Trade shows " Remarkable
Growth-hillions OF Foot or Pine
Lumber-The Big Peanut Industry
Seven billions n Year for Truck
Large Postal Receipts.

A handsome pamphlet of So pages.
| entitled Norfolk and Its Environs,
1885," issued by the Chamber of Com
merce and complied by Its secretary.
Mr.. Samuel r. Borum. has been re-
ceived by the Virginian.
The volume. which aims to give a
thorough idea Of the resources Of the
port SO aptly described by Commodore
Maury as kings chamber among
the worlds great harbors." presents in
ton on the subjects OF the city's history.
growth. future and the vast extent of
her trade.
The cotton trade of this port, which
Is the fourth in Importance in the United
States. Is shown to be about half a
wears 11.134.674 bales have been handled
here.
The North Carolina pine lumber trade
Is dwelt upon at length. The amount of
that product handled here is estimated
bv Mr.. Borum at 100000. 900 feet per an
num- This includes the amount manu-
featured here and that passing through
In transit to Northern markets.
The truck trade. one Of the most i'm
portant industries of the county and
city. Is given comprehensive write-up.
The value Of the product from the truck
ing area Of 45.375 adjacent to Norfolk. is
shown to be s7.5O7.155 per year.
The coal trade from the North Allan
tic Coaling Station at Lambert's Point,
which was established In 1884, shows a
| marvellous increase. In 1885, As steam
ships coaled there. Ten years later the
| number of steamers was 500, and Of
the other craft loaded there were nearly
1000. The annual shipment of Poca-
hontas coal amounts to about two and
one-ouarter million tons per year.
The peanut industry also presents n
fine showing. Nearly thousand hands
are employed in the factories, and the
| receipts at this port increased 100. 900
baes in the three years from 1883 to
| 1891. The receipts are now nearly $780,
4 900 sacks per year.
| The oyster industry is another impor-
tant branch of Norfolk's trade. The %
firms here handle 100000 bushels per
wear. valued at s2.0OO.00O, and employ a
capital Of 100000.
More than 1850 hands are employed
in the various branches of the trade.
Foreign exports averaged $685., 204
last year. Imports, s187.4S5, as against
Sl09.957 in 1893.
The total real estate transfers In
Norfolk. Portsmouth and Norfolk coun-
tv amounted. in five years from 1890 tc
1895. to s2G647. 906
One of the surest indexes to the pros
peritv OF n city Is Its postal receipts. Ir
1856 the revenues from the Norfolk of.
flee amounted to s43. 260.27. In 1895 the
|
The value of the factory product OF
the three cities. Norfolk. Portsmouth
and Berkeley. Is about s10,000.000. The
cotton mills here worked up last year
4.495 bales of cotton. In 1880 the entire
amount of capital employed In los man.
lufacturinE establishments was less thar
100000. and the wages paid was about
sSl7.530. In 1895. the capital employed
bv 500 Industries is close to $4,000 Two
hundred OF these are above the grade OF
repair shops.
The leading Industrial establishment.
are then discussed. and the trnnsporta.
ton facilities of the port shown to bt
the finest in the South.
The pamphlet is a compendium of use
full statistics: the illustrations are life
like demonstrations of the monument:
to progress. described In the book, ant
the little volume will be valuable in fur
therence of the already great and grow
ing trade Of this port.