The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-09-08
Vegetable Growing in
The Southern States.

vegetable Growing in the South" was
the subject of the address delivered by
Mr.. ]. w. White, General Industrial
Agent of the Seaboard Air Line Railway,
at Buffalo, n. Y, last week at the meet
ing Of the Southern Railway Land and
Industrial Agents Association. Mr..
Whites speech in full was as follows:
MI. President and Gentlemen:
After the close OF the Civil War, and
continuing for quite Il period, the growth
of vegetables in the South as commercial
products was confined largely to Norfolk
county, Virginia. While the lands were
naturally fertile this was not the sole
cause for the base being laid in that vi
entity, but It's nearness to Northern mar
kets, coupled with the existing transpor-
tation facilities, made 1T the logical point
for such an enterprise. The lands of the
more Southern States We're equally as
productive, but at that time only small
railroads were i'll existence therein; and
as each was controlled as an independent
factor, it was impossible, with the service
rendered, for its people to engage with
any degree Of profit in truck raising.
The state of perfection attained in the
creation Of the universe, indicates that
the intention was to place each section
on an equal footing. Where one has an
advantage over another, it is found that
there are features connected with eacn
to bring about an equalization, thus en-
aiding the Live and let live" motto to
be existent and operative. Even though
we were the recipient of an equal distri-
button i'll this respect, our natural re
sources were useless because lack of
means for development prevented Their
utilization, and inasmuch as the centers
OF population were IN the North, our
Southern lands were practically valueless.
1t was but natural, however, that things
of earthly origin should shape themselves
to heavenly intent. and following this law
came the linking of the disconnected
small roads and their consolidation into
system, thus enabling a through service
to be had, and an opportunity given to
. all sections to reach the markets of the
entire country. In view of this it cannot
be denied that the railroads have been
the instruments through which this ma
tural order OF conditions has been fulfilled
The farmer of the South was quick tC
realize the change and Immediately as
signed a part of his acreage to the cuitlVa-
ton of early vegetables. He departed
from his old-time custom of the devotion
of all lands to the staples-cOtton and
tobacco, for while he knew that 1t would
remain within his province and continue
to be his ~prerogatlye to produce these
necessary articles, it was both wise and
profitable to grow a variety, and it was
but natural that he should select this
line.
In reviewing the results we find Florid;
with its matchlcss climatic and soil con
ditions beginning the shipment of earl.
vegetables at a season when the section
Of the country in which we are now as
sembled is wrapped in its mantle of snow
and ice. And as the season advances thu
points of shipment rise toward the Nortl
thus the close Of Spring records for eacl
Southern State It's contribution OF every
known variety of plant life to our North
ern friends whose cline is less favored anC
in consequence our products are luXuries
The mere fact that we are permitted t.
place our natural products in unseason
able markets and obtain for them appro
pirate prices, makes the South stand pc
culiarly alone as a vegetable producer
Not only does it offer an inviting field
but the most natural one in the entir
country, for its present residents and t
those who may later come to dwell mon
them.
Statistics are uninteresting as a rule
but they should not be in this case, an
while 1 will not inflict a tiresome lis
upon this body, l do feel it entirely apprc
pirate to give you a few Illustrations Q
what can be accomplished by an INTEL
gent application to our soils:
Average NET PROFITS
Acres. Product crates