The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-08-19

OF 4 tdGk VI MUS
tsre at tho proper time to make
the leaf as largo and as heavy
as it should &c. or would have been. the
crop is in remarkably good condition.
Notwithstanding this deficiency. The
growers say that the effect on the crop
from this cause-laok of moisture-wiil
be a reduction in the weight OF the Leaf.
making the body lighter; but happily II
will not affect its curing into the
golden" and "lemon-yelIow" wrappers.
which tho higher prices. -
all the farms visited there was an under
current of satisfaction felt, rather than
expressed. as the curing advances, and
with It an assurance Of profitable Cuc-
cess, if the prices meet expectation.
Person was the first county visited.
and the home of Col. John s. Cunningham,
who enjoys the reputation OF being the
largest tobacco grower in the world, was
the Mecca of this pilgrimage. His farms
cover several thousand acres in this
State and nearly as much more in Viz
ginia. He takes great pride IN his
farms. following the old method o. set
ting his tobacco in new ground or
rested land, and securing a fine growth
each year. Col. Cunningham is president
Of the North Carolina Tobacco Growers
ASSOCIATION, and 70 It'll CdlHt IHG 81
t~inction Of receiving a gold meddT for
fine yellow tobacco at the great Inter
national Exposition held at Paris, Franco.
in 1900. Person is blest with a soil and
climate tina meets all the requirements
for the production OF the fine yellow and
rich Mahogany wrappers which are 50
much sought by the finer trade. 1he
county produce about /, 600. 600 pounds
of leaf annually, and is capable of pro-
ducing three or four times as much
without drain upOn the lands. This Tea
ture of the subject is sure to invite the
investment of capital and bring an influx
of prosperous farmers. who Will find
great profit in the production of the fine
tobaccos, for which the county is so
famous. Col. Cunningham is setting q
fine example to the farmers of his coun-
~ by his methods of farming; in diversi-
fying his crops and in an economical
rotation of them. Besides his extensive
tobacco crop, which is the largest he
has ever grown, he grows large crops
Of corn, wheat, oats, clover, peas and
the grasses. He grows his own supplies
and lives at home. His lands are among
the best Of tobacco producing fields. and
his equipment of barns, packing and sort
ing houses is complete. There are many
others engaged ir growing tobacco in
Person, and with success, but nonc on 50
large q scale as Col. Cunningham.
Edgecombe and Nash were the next
counties visited. Mr.. e. l.. Daughtridgo,
Of Edgecombe, one of the largest and
most successful Of the general farmers
of that county, took great pleasure in
showing the writer the fine farms ada
cent to his own, near Rocky Mount. The
FIRST one shown was that Of Mr.. r. II.
Kicks, the pioneer tobacco grower Of tho
eastern fields. His farm is beautifully
located, and his fields from the vcranda
of his home, spread in all directions ana
in varying hues Of green until the more
sombre shades of towering pine close the
vision against tho distant sky. The fore
ground is checkercd with corn. cotton,
tobacco, peanuts, peas. milIet and fruit
trees. He is original in many of his
methods; does not follow in beaten paths.
but cuts out new roads for him. He has
Just invented and put into use on his
farm a new cart, which at once saves
time and lessons the labor necessary
Tor getting the leaf from the fields. He
may have it patented to protect himself.
but does not hesitate to allow his neigh
borS TO use the idea. In his practical
way he said: "Just after the war a
neighbor built a rolling chair for a
MANNED comrade, so that he coutd got
about and suporintend his work. When
an cnterprising Yankee saw it he drew >
sketch of its parts, had it patented. and
came down shortly after forbidding tho
good mans making any more; so am
thinking of having this cart patented. ae
| may want to build more of them for
myself"
Mr.. Kicks crop is fine, despite the dry
conrnn -.
season; a little lighter in weight than
lie hoped for, but curing into golden
"iappefs under his guidance, the promise
Of a richer golden harvest later
The farm of Mr.. James w. Mason
drummer who does farming as weII-near
olu battleboro. with its 80 acres in fine
tobacco IS an inspiring sight; and So If
Mr.. W. E. ~Jefries' farm and nanr
others in the neighborhood
These counties combine oroo+ o
taseS in that tobacco and cotton
corn and peanuts, grow side bv side af,
lofWlhs the farmer q choice in crons
which some of the other countios do no.
possess. NO.
The counties of Beaufort and PIT r.or
mex VISITED and the methods in practice
lheTe are about the same as tboca ia
EdSecompe and Nash. There arc MANY
Inc fields IN both Beaufort and pitt tbo
most notable of the latter heiro +ba+ of
capt J. J. clearinghouse. lie has The
largest single body Of tobacco seen on
the Journey, seventy acres in one hodv
another CT sixty and another Of about tbe
same size. Unfortunately he was visit
ea ~ q nail and wind storm which per
lorated much OF his fine leaf and blow
" many leaves. Still he is hopeful Of
q lalIly good crop. Capt. Laughinghouso
= d 'tfohg oeIleYer in the turkey as q
- - - "oiihing Dis crop. Last year he
raised about SIX hundred IF rboeo 80
oird5, which in their younger dave ala
valuable service in the tobacco folds ond
la1er went to market. This wear his t,,r-
key crop will be about five bundrnd IL
regards them as Indispensable. His euc-
cess mas been such as to warrant tbo
vaiuc OF his opinion. He is a strong be-
never in tobacco, and docs not