The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-09-27
NORTH CAROLlNA'S WEALTH.
Her Natural Resources Rich Beyond
Popular knowledge.

Popular knowledge.
Ii is expected that closer acQuaint-
ance with the great Pan-American EX-
position l., be held at Buffalo next
year will convince the people Of North
Carolina of the wisdom of being re-
presented by u proper state exhibit.
Where here is one reason for the states
representation at Paris there are a score
of good reasons why it should have an
exhibit at Buffalo. The great markets
into which this state sends her prod
ucts are the cities Of the United States.
The state is seeking, not settlers speak
ing i foreign tongue, but Americans
from any state who are looking for
grand opportunities for investment or
for engaging actively i'll profitable lines
OF business. Many of our own people
do not realize that they have one of the
most productive states in the Union
and one of the richest in natural re-
sources.
Both in agricultural products and
possibilities and in mineral wealth
North Carolina is one of the most
favored states of the Union. All agri-
cultural interests have rapidly advanc-
ed since 1890 The corn crop Of 1893
appropriated 100000 bushels and
that of 1894, 100000 bushels. Much
attention has been given to truck farm
ing, and as much as $75O,0OO worth of
produce has been shipped from single
town in one season. Peanuts are ex-
tensively grown by our citizens, North
Carolina having been at one time al
most the only source Of supply for the
United States. Since 1870 much atten-
ton has also been given to grape cul-
ture. both for the manufacture of wine
and the supply of the northern market
with grapes. The climate and soil are
especially adapted to the culture of the
vine and vineyards are found in al
most all sections. 1t will interest
many to learn that no state has within
its boundaries so many of the plants
used in medicine. the Atlantic slope Of
the Blue Ridge furnishing $500 varie-
ties One firm annually ships over
2,Du0O0O pounds, the dried roots, herbs
and banks going to all parts of the
world.
In the cotton year ending Aug. 81,
1899. the area under cultivation for
cotton was 1911 .7OS acres and the pro-
duction G2G.G2O gross bales For the
year S!0-1900 the area was 100000
and the estimated yield 1913 pounds Of
lint cotton per acre.
The timber lands of North Carolina
are one of its most valuable posses
siOns. The great variety of soils and
che wide range of climate give rise to
a rich and varied forest growth. In
the southeastern counties under the in
fuence of the gulf stream are found
the magnolias. palmettos, live oaks and
other semitropical trees, while on the
higher mountains of the west are the
spruces and frs The state abounds
in pines and from this tree is derived
one of its most valua bic products-that
of turpentine. Out of % oaks indigo
nous to the United States. North Caro-
lima has 10. 1t has all the light pines,
four Of the five spruces, six Of the
eight hickories and all of the seven
magnOlias.
The mineral wealth of North Carolina
Is as bOundless as its agricultural and
forest resources, and the further de
velopment of this wealth offers great
inducements to capitalists seeking i'll
vestment. They have no need to go
to South Africa or the golden sands Of
Cape Nome. There are both gold and
silver to be mined in paying quantities
in North Carolina. Work is being
pushed in the Greer, Cappi Hill. sum
merville and other mines in Mecklen-
burg county: in several mines il Ga
barraS county, ut the Gold Hill. Dutch
Greek, and one or two other points in
Rowan county; at the Belle mine in
Moore county, Portes mine in Franklin
county, Mann-Arrington mine in Nash
county and at points in Stanly and
Montgomery counties.
In silver the most notable activity
is at the Silver Hill mines in Da wilson
county and the Troutman, near the di-
viding line between Rowan and Ca
barraS counties. There was notable
gain in gold mining in 1893. the out
put being 4,0G4 fine ounces. valued at
$4,000.
Copper and iron mines are being
worked, and quarrying is carried on
upon an extensive scale. In 1893 there
were quarried granite valued at $40. 7G9
and sandstone and limestone valued at
80, 100, total. S90.G74. The copper ores
found include native free copper. cup
rite, aZurite. malachite, red oxide, COP
per glaze and the green and blue car
bOnades of copper. There are several
promising iron mines in operation 4
company has recently been formed Ia
Macon county to mine Systematically
for the gem rhodolite, also for the ruby,
sapphire and other corundum gems.