The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-08


now full grown industry was in its
swaddling clothes. Way back in the 70s
a venture was made in both the cultiva-
tion and marketing of early vegetables
and the strawberry and this venture was
a successful one. Today the industry
has grown to mammoth proportions. The
success attendant upon the industry has
builded towns, started manufactures,
beautifed homes and given employment
to hundreds and thousands. One very
necessary factor in this industry is to find
both soil and climatic conditions favor
able to the crop. On the principal that
"the early bird catches the worm, so
in this strawberry business, the early
berry brings the best returns Through
out Carolina are frost lines and narrow
strips of country where frost rarely
forms, and the berry grower who is SO
fortunate as to get within these connnes
enjoys advantages denied the less for
tunate. Such conditions prevail at
Wallace and her one hundred and thirty
two growers whose combined acreage In
berries represents some four hundred
acres are enabled to market their crop
much earlier than their neighbors, and,
too, Immediately following Charleston
growers, when prices are at the highest
point. The soil and climatic conditions
at Wallace being so very favorable to the
berry, perfection is reached in size and
flavor, two very necessary factors in OBJ
tanning best prices. The time has never
been when a well formed, beautifully col
ored and delicately favored strawberry
did not find a ready sale and at the top
price in the Northern markets. These
very conditions, prevalent at Wallace,
49, . ~ ,~sD af a
growing fraternity. 1 refer to Mr.. j. S.
Westbrook, who began the cultivation of
berries for market in the early 70s at
Wilson. NJ c. Later on he located at
Faison and ever on the alert he pur-
chased land at several points to the
south, finally disposing of his Faison
property, which was splendid one,
locating here to spend his remaining days
amid these fertile fields and most deSira-
lie climatic conditions. The success OF
the Westbrooks, the pioneers, revolu-
tionized the section Of country traversed
by the Atlantic Coast Line from Wilson
to Wilmington. Now within ten miles OF
this line scarcely farmer can be found
that has not his acre or more in berries
and the success of them all has been
phenomenal. Mr.. ]. w. Stokes, of this
county. Duplin, has one acre in berries
from which he has marketed in single
year 296 crates of 80 quarts each and re-
ceived in net returns $780, Mr.. j. B.
Houston, of the same county, has mar
keted in a single year 200 crates from a
half acre.
Mr. W. H. H. Morton marketed last year
from field of one acre 122 crates. Mr..
Morton says he has cleared yearly an
average Of $135 per acre. This when the
cost per acre to cultivate foots up an
average of one hundred dollars. is a re-
cord to be proud Of
Mr. Fred Middleton of this county, fruit
grower and nurseryman, received checks
for his shipments from 2h acre field in
1901 footing in the aggregate $780, not to
speak of his receipts, from the same
acreage from the sale of plants. Like
successes have been experienced by dozens
of growers in the berry belt. Some
growers hesitate to give their ex-
perience. Why any grower should hest
tate to speak of his success is only &C
counted for by reason of the fact that
he fears others will enter the field and
the industry be overdone. That others will
enter the field is sure, but with the
coming of years there has also come an
increased demand for the strawberry.
Such selfish considerations do not pre-
vail among the berry growers in and
around Wallace. They tell the writer
Invite them come to Wallace and be one
of us, sharing with us the benefits OF
so fortunate conditions.
LOCATION.
Wallace is situated in the frostless
belt referred to, 46 miles south Of Colds
boro, SO miles north of Wilmington, on
the Atlantic Coast Line system of rail-
ways and some 40 miles west of the At
lantic ocean, whose saline influence is
felt with profit able effect in the berry
and vegetable industry. In the near flu
ture railroad reaching out from Kin
ston will doubtless tap Wallace as its
terminal. The coming of this road, pass
ing through finely timbered lands and
agricultural sections rich in promise,
will be hailed with Joy.
POPULATION, MERCANTILE AND
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS,
SCHOOLS. ETC.
Wallace has a population of 800, all OF
whom believe in her future, about a
dozen mercantile establishments. en-
bracing the various lines of trade, one
crate factory and veneering works, one
brick and tile plant, good hotel accommo-
dation, and an excellent school.
FINE FISHING NEAR.
Within a mile is a bold stream-Rock-
fsh--while at a distance of three miles
flows the Northeast river, both streams
affording as fine fishing as one could de-
sire. These streams are the home OF
the robin perch, trout and shad and
numerous are the fishing parties upon
their banks.
SOIL, CLIMATE, OPPORTUNITIES.
These advantages have already been
touched upon. While specially adapted
to berry growing; beans, peas, lettuce
and cantaloupes likewise grow to perfec-
tion. There, too, are field after field
where corn, oats, hay, peas and cotton
are successfully grown. The field in and
around Wallace is a most inviting one,