Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-03-03
For the Hera d and Tribune.
EAST TENNESSEE.
Small Industries, Small Farms, but
Large Business and Large Profits.

What now write, believe to be of
the very largest importance to the peo.
pie and county. feel sure that the
use of the water powers and smaller
streams in connection with steam.
which have suggested, would be of
the great value niicated to the peo'
pie of the county; and that such would
create local mark of the extent and
profits stated. The real question then
is, how can such desired change be
secured? Ianwer first, by the people
being willing; second, publishing that
fact, and third, becoming parties at
interest with those who come in to
organize the change. To explain ex.
actly what mean, will take for illus.
tratlon the water power dearest to the
desk at which am writing-that
owned by D, A. Bond on Knob Creek.
The fall is to 10 feet, and estimated
horse power 10; but as now employed
for single pair OF small burrs for
grinding corn; perhaps not more than
or D horse power is developed; and
probably the gross profits are less than
SlOO per year. Mr.. Bond is one Of the
best farmers of the county, having
under cultivation over 100 acres of
ground and 40 acres of timber attached.
Perhaps, at first blush, Mr. Bond
would say: "No, do not wish either
to associate anyone with me in oper.
ating machinery, nor, am willing to
sell any of my land;' but his real and
best interest and that of his ueighbor.
hood will be largely promoted if he
would advertise for and accept Just
what he declines. In other words, un.
less he decides personally to develop
his water power to its full extent, let
him sell outright, or transfer half
interest to q wide awake mechanic and
engineer. Suppose, under either ar.
rangement, machinery for hulling oats,
wheat and barley takes the place of
the corn mill, the following results
will follow: (a) gross profits of at least
81 900 per annum will be realized; (b)
the local prices of oats and barley, if
not also wheat Will be increased to
Mr.. Bond from 10 to 30 per cent. One
of the items being that haul of 200
yards delivers his grain to the factory
instead of five miles to the railroad
depot; (c) his now large garden may
be increased to double its size, and the
products sold at good profits to the
operatives and Id the eighborhood
for miles around will share in the en-.
farged benefits. Mr. BoGd should fur.
ther do this: sell two, five or ten acres
of land embracing the southeast ex-
posure of Indian Ridge to good mar
ket gardener or small fruit grower.
He can realize not less than 20 per cent
above what the and cost him, and still
the gardener or fruit grower would
esteem the price reasonable.
What will follow such sale as a sure
result? Answer: (a) Mr.. Bond, as well
as the neighbors, will be surprised and
pleased to find how many new and
valuable varieties of plants, vines and
trees can be furnished them close by,
instead of being purchased at high
prices from other States. and that the
home grown and grated are so much
more accurate in size and flavor, (b)
They find an object lesson, with the
new conner in modes of culture and
use of manures and fertilizers which
they will quickly and profitably fol
low, and (c) they will soon note the
fact that such original purchaser is but
pioneer. That many others of the
class will follow desiring to purchase
small holdings. The ultimate results
if all in the county join in action with
Mr. Bond will be, that our water pow.
ers will soon be developed to their full
capacity; driving, not clumsy poor
paying machinery, but that of high
grade yielding large profits. That our
timber lands along the head branches
OF our many streams will be smoking
from the furnaces of profitable saw
mills preparing lumter instead of, as
now, pulling the logs over miles of
rough, muddy roads to the water mills.
That most, if not all, our large
farms, now cultivated at u net
profit of less than $40 per acre, will be
divided into smaller holdings; and
under a higher mode of diversified cul
ture will yield profits ranging from
$50 to $3.50 per acre.
Ordinarily, this change would re.
quire many years of time; but, if the
people will they can bring it about in.
side of three or four years. Let the
people of the entire county do as
have suggested for my close neighbor
Bond, only with this difference: Ad.
vertise to the world the true character
of their lands and water powers; and
that they are willing to part with
small holdings, not at boom prices,
but at reasonably low rates to the right
kind of purchasers-men able and
willing to build up diversified indus
tries.
Does someone say: "well this may
be done in localities close to our tow ms