The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
THE NEWS AND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CENTURY STATE EDITION

with mari, very valuable fertilizing
material.
Cotton is grown in every part Of this
area. though more largely in North and
South Carolina than in Virginia, and in
these two States, within the territory
under consideration, it was until late
years the main crop, and in some local
tiles the exclusive crop of the uplands
The famous sea island cotton, which can
be grown only in limited area, and
which commands always price that
makes it independent of the fluctuations
Of the cotton market, has its home in
South Carolina on the islands adjacent
to the coast
Corn is a staple crop in all TINS area.
The wide Bottoms of the rivers and
aud swamps furnish some Of the best
ecrn lands in the country, and the pro
duction Of corn in different localities is
in proportion to the extent of these
heavy lands. which are used almost eX-
clusvely for this crop. In some coun-
ties. notably those on the coast, corn is
grown to the exclusion of cotton.
Tobacco is one of the important crops
of this section but it is not grown over
the whole area. In Virginia the great
tobacco producing district is in the Mid
die country between the Piedmont and
Tidewater divisions, and extending into
the latter. 1T has been said that the At
lantc Coast line, from Richmond to the
North Carolina line, would make a fairly
accurate dividing line between Tidewa-
ter and Middle Virginia. 1t may there
fore be said also to mark the eastern
boundary of the area of greatest tobac-
60 production, or rather to cross the to-
baeco field near its eastern edge. In
the Eastern section of North Carolina
the tobacco area has been greatly ex-
tended within recent years. Most of
the light sandy soil on which cotton is
grown is found adapted to tobacco In
this district this crop ripens much earlier
than farther west, and is much less
troubled with worms. These are two
points of marked difference and DISTINCT
advantage. From Weldon To Wilson
Nash and Wilson counties the road
passes through the centre of an area
noted for its production OF the famous
and high-priced bright. yellow tobacco,
known in trade as Virginia Brights."
Rice is of course. a staple, and one Of
the most important crops of the south
ern part of this section. In North Caro-
lima it is grown extensively and with
good profit in Sampson, Wayne and
Duplin counties. and much more largely
IN Columbus. Ponder. New Hanover and
Brunswick counties; in the two last
named it is the chief agricultural indus
fry.
Rice is grown in all the eastern conn-
ties of South Carolina, having been for
generations a highly remunerative crop.
Throughout this part Of South Caro-
lima there are to be seen now many
superb mansions erected before the war
by rice and cotton planters who accu-
mulated great fortunes, and who in the
elegance and magnificence Of their
homes. in intellectual culture, in the re-
fneinent and charm of their social and
domestic life, have never been surpassed
anywhere in the world.
In much Of this territory peanuts are
extensively grown, andfmalle profita-
hle crop Glover and other cultivated
grains do we'll Broom corn is grown
to some extent. Sweet potatoes make
one of the most profitable crops Of this
region North Carolina produces more
sweet potatoes than any other State.
There are many fine stock farms, and