Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-10
DEVELOPMENT SOUTH
AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL
PROSPERITY IN EVERY SECTION.
Rapid Growth in Textile Industries.
sbipments 10 China and Japan
IrOn-MiIis ana Furnaces Working
Day and Night.

]. NJ. c. writes from Washington to
The Philadelphia Public Ledger:
In a recent conversation with Mr.. M.
Y. Richards. land and industrial agent
bf the Southern railway, 1 was surprised
10 learn of the extent and variety of the
material development that has taken
place recently and is still in progress in
HE Southern States, and of the general
revival of business now in progress there.
Mr. Richards has recently made tour
Of observation along the line of the
southern road, and represents that the
conditions are all favorable in the South
10 a season of continued prosperity. The
people are employed, mines. mills, and
railroads are busy, farmers have. been
blessed with abundant crops In everything
lave cotton and tobacco, and prices are
higher than In former years. New enter
prises are being established in various
sections, and immigration from the
Northern States is increasing and is of
The best character. Industrially and ag-
riculturally, the South has never been
30 prosperous as now. and never before
have there been so many evidences in
ment on all business lines. Mr.. Richards
collected data during his tour OF observa-
ton for a general report, and at my re-
quest has furnished a detailed statement
for the Ledger. which Will be OF interest
not only TO persons who are interested
by reason OF investments in the South,
but by the people generally. who will
rejoice at the evidences of progress in
the South furnished by Mr.. Richards's
facts and figures. The Southern railway
system reaches so many portions of the
South. runs through so many parts of
the eight States 1t enters. touches so
many business and populous centres like
Richmond Norfolk, and Lynchburg. Va.
Raleigh, Winston, Salisbury. and Durham
N c.. Columbia. S. c.; Atlanta, Macon,
Augusta, and Brunswick, Ga; Admission,
Birmingham, and Selma, Ala. Chatta-
nooga, Bristol, and Knoxville, Tenn. that
nearly every industrial and agricultural
interest is represented along its line, and
the prevailing conditions therefore found
IN the country through which II passes
may be regarded as representing the
general condition of affairs in the South
ern States.
INCREASED YIELD OF WHEAT AND
CORN.
In his report Mr. Richards says: The
agricultural interests OF country ira
yersed by the Southern railway are
greatly diversified. There were much
better grain crops than usual last year.
and. OF course. prices were higher. In
Virginia the wheat yield was immense,
and the same Is true OF the East Ten
neseee crop. Kentucky's yield is good,
and or a fine quality. The North Caro- |
lima crop was increased both in acreage |
and yield In the other States tho yield |
was good The South not only uses All |
the wheat II raises. but imports wheat |
and -four, though there Is no good rea-
son why this should be done. On this |
account the southern farmer realizes a |
better price for his wheat than the |
western and northern farmer, and the |
same Is true as regards the corn crop |
Inc total wheat and corn acreage Of the /
southern States east of the Mississippi |
~-' ~as increased this year There !.