The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-07-15
Southern Field.l

AGRIrt'LTT RAJ PRODUCTS IN 1896.
Wheat 1921 ,922 Bushels
Corn %, ,oUi 14S
Oats 5,771,256 a
Rye 3S3,61O
Buckwheat 3l,04O
Potatoes 1,446.411
Hay 1856 Tons
Tobacco GS,629,17O Pounds
The State of North Carolina is
most admirably located, geographi-
cally speaking, lying as it does between
the S4th and s615 parallels of lati
tude. geographically speaking, the
State is parallelogram in form, being
sos miles in length from East TO West,
and ranging from 100 to 1S7 miles i'll
width, and being a vast decllvity from
the Smoky Mountains, which consti-
tute its Western boundary, to the
ocean. The Smoky Mountains con
stltu,e part of the great Appa-
lachain Chain, which here attains its
greatest height, reaching an altitude
In some Of its numerous peaks of
nearly 1000 feet and being the
highest point East Of the Rocky
Mountains. This State is made up of
three great terraces: the first, starting
at the West, being the mountain
plateau; the second, sub mountain
plateau called the Piedmont region;
and the third plateau, known as the
Atlantic plain, which terminates at
the ocean. From the first to the
second pla,eaus the descent is quite
abrupt, being about 1900 feet; from
the second only about 200 feet, from
which there is gradual slope, hardly
perceptlble in many places, to the sea.
From this it will he seen that the
Piedmont region occupies the "coign
of vantage,' having the great noun
tain wall, from 1900 to 1000 feet, as
It's Western boundary, and acting as a
great breastwork to break off the cold
winds and storms from the West and
giving it an altitude of from 5000 to
1000 feet above the sea level, appro-
priatlng to itself the advantages of
both the mountain and sea breezes,
and giving it that happy golden mean
Of climate which never loses its attrac-
tlons to the tourist and healthseeker.
The Stale is literally supplied With
mineral wealth and in gold deposits
many sections are especially rich.
Silver, lead, zinc, iron and copper are
also found in paying quantities, and
copper ore is largely exported. In
building stone there are granite, sand
stone and marble, as well as an excel
lent quality of sla'estone, highly valued
tor roofing purposes, and limestone
equal to the best. There are many
thousands OF acres # valuable timber,
comprising all the varieties used Ill
building and manufacturing purposes,
and there is an ample supply for all
local needs as well as for export.
The people of Nor;h Carolina, at
an early date, devoted d good deal Of
attention to the manufacturing indus
A''>A Sl''-N ''i' wal iIoSA IAt''h'iSi
their energies IL the same direction.
\ recent rf in discussing this
subject says: line existence in most
parts Of the State OF abundant water
power, the abundance, value and
variety of the raw material, and the
favorable seats for its conversion into
the manufactured fabric, and the
natural aptitude OF the people for
meChanical industries, early made
North Carolina foremost among the
Southern States in the character Of a
manufacturing State. In iron She was
usefully conspicuous during the revo-
lu,lonary war. In the manufacture OF
textile fabrics, she may be regarded as
the pioneer in the South, her cotton
factories antedatlng similar works in
both Virginia and South Carolina
her factories at the beginning Of the
late civil war exceeding those Of any
State in the South" The predelec
tons Of the people of North Carolina
for ,he building up Of a diversified
industry were indicated at an early
day and seem To have been born OF
the idea tina, her natural conditions
fitted her 10 become a great manu-
featuring center. This idea she has
sturdiIy and steadfas.ly pursued, and
she has made and IS still making com
mendable progress all along this line.
In tobacco manufacture North Caro-
lima takes high rank.
As general farming section N5rth
Carolina has no superior and few
equals.
Reports further show total acreage
in the State Of 800, Of which
14,623,327, or 65.4 per cent, are
unlnproved. Notwithstanding this
large percentage Of unmproved lands
the value Of farm products for one
year IS shown, s5o,o7o,53o, and
valuation Of lands, stock and lmple
men,s, s2I6,7o7,5oo, indicating an
earning capacity Of 25-I per cent.
| The cotton crop Of North Carolina
bears very important relation 10 the
aggregate crop OF the entire South
although the diversity of crops render:
it practically independent Of any one
product in particular. OF the ninety
SIX counties N the State all excep
eight are cotton producers, some on :
limited scale, others very extensively
The production for the year 1894 wa
454,e2o bales, grea, majority Of i
being exported. A particularly pleasing
feature i'll regard 10 cotton raising il
| North Carolina is that less acreag
IS required for the production Of