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

WOnt CdToliHd III the very neaTl Oh 'lHe
finest section in Gods universe surround
ed by fertile fields and wooded heights,
peopled by the cleverest and most refin-
ed and hospitable Southerners, lies Lex
ington, county seat of Davidson county.
Located on the main line of the Southern
Railway between Greensboro and Sails
bury the center of fine farming coun-
try, the capital of county peculiarly
rich in every valuable natural resource,
it has unusual facilities for trade and
manufacture.
Davidson county, Of which Lexington
is the county seat, is one of the best
counties in the State. Lying in the
center of the Piedmont section, with an
area of 600 square miles, it has lands
capable of producing almost any crops
grown in the South except rice and sugar
cane There are no better farming lands
than those of this county.
WHEAT.
The county leads the State in wheat as
to grade and yield per acre, and is one
of the first three in total yield. The
Davidson county wheat took first prize
at the Chicago Worlds Fair over wheat
from California and every wheat grow
ing State IN the Union. Possibly the
largest yield of wheat per acre grown
east of the Mississippi was grown in
Lexington township. This was grown on
a measured acre by Mr.. John Nv. Finch
on a field in the suburbs OF the town
some years ago. The yield was Ga
bushels. The largest average yield made
on a number of acres was also grown
by Mr.. Finch on field OF 1914 acres
just north of the town, where for several
consecutive years he has made over 600
bushels. He sows l a bushels to the
acre and uses 800 pounds of fertilizer.
The average yield throughout what is
known as the Jersey section of the coun-
ty (so-called because the original set
tiers came from the Island of Jersey, is
from Is to 30 bushels per acre; and the
average yield of the county is not far
from 20 bushels.
CORN
Inc average ylel0 OF upldnQ corn III
the Jersey section is 80 to 40 bushels; in
the whole county it is about % bushels.
On creek and river bottoms the yield is
sometimes as high as so bushels. These
yields are all from average cultivation
and with practically no fertilizer used.
COTTON.
Many farmers make over a bale of
cotton to the acre. A bale is not an un-
usual yield
TOBACCO.
The northern section of the county
contains some very fine tobacco lands
No better grade dark tobacco is grown
than that of Davidson. The yield is from
a barn to barn and half to the acre.
A few years ago, Mr. Craver. of Arcadia
township sold his crop of tobacco grown
on one acre for $154 net, after paying
warehouse charges. He used 200 pounds
of fertilizer.
POTATOES.
Some very heavy yields of potatoes
have been made in this county. The
largest was that of Mr.. T.. w. McCarn.
of Silver, Hill, who grew GIG bushels of
Irish potatoes on an acre and a half,
using 1900 pounds of genuine bone and
Peruvian guano and thin dressing of
leaf and trash mulch. He sold part of
his crop at digging time for So cents, the
balance later at Is cents He planted
26 bushels of seed potatoes. The yields
from other crops are in proportion to
the figures given.
TIMBER
The county has much fine timber, pine,
oak, hickory and other hardwoods the
four southern townships being especially
we'll timbered, having miles of virgin
forest untouched by the axe. There is
more available timber near Lexington
than there is near any town of Pied
mont Carolina This fact added to it's
railroad facilities make it favored spot
for furniture chair and other woodwork
ing factories All such factories here
now are prospecting and others are being
organized and in the near future Lex
ington will become furniture center.
the equals Of High Point.
MINES AND MINING INTERESTS,
The county has rich deposits of gold,
silver and copper. All these metals have
been mined extensively in the past. AT
present there are three mines being
worked now for gold and copper. The
old Emmons mine, near Cid is now
owned aud operated by the Hercules Gold
and Copper Co., of New York. They
work about IS hands and are getting out
some rich ore.
The old Silver Valley mine has lately
been reopened and is being operated by
a company of Baltimore capitalists
The Peters mine, near Silver Hill, is
now being operated by the Abbotts
Creek Gold and Copper Mining Co.. OF
Norfolk, Va. They are working about 30
men. and are turning out good paying
grade Of ore.
The old Silver Hill mine that has turn
ed out more silver than any mine east
of the Rockies, will soon be reopened.
This niue was worked continuously for
80 years previous to the war and has