Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1906-01-11
EASTERN NORTH Carolina.
THE MARKET GARDEN OF
THE SOUTH.
Eastern North Carolina Is Simp.
ly in the s'Sun BurSt''P eriOd
of Prosperity That is
Most PrOmiS-

One of the most attractive railroad
publications of the season is a bcok-
let Just issued by the Atlantic &
North Carolina Railroad, directing
attention to the splendid agrlcul-
tural possibilities of the country
through which its line runs-a sec
ton that has been appropriately
called ssThe Market Garden of the
South" The name is suggestive of
fertile lands, of f,equent streams, of
growing crops and prosperous homes,
of peace and plenty. These anticipa-
tions seem to be fully justified by
the facts.
The territory under consideration,
| the Chattanooga Tradesman has
declared tone of the most fertile, not
only in this country, but probably
in the world" 1t Is known as the
| tide water section Of North Caro-
lina-the lowlands lying parallel to
the Atlantic Coast-from which
comes such an abundance and
variety of products as can hardly be
equalled anywhere else in the I'm
ion.
During the period from Dec. 1st.,
until April, 1st., and frequently for
a longer time, it supplies a very
large proportion of the vegetables
consumed in the New England and
the Middle Atlantic States, and
even in the Northwest, while from
the standpoint Of the small fruit
crop it is of utmost importance. The
last census showed that fully one
fifth of all the vegetable growers in
tho United States resided in the
South, and curing 1909 southern
farmers devoted 267, 600 acres of
cultivated land to vegetables alone
Of this area no less than 30, 600 acres
were in North Carolina.
With such a broai expanse of
territory devoted to this division of
farming, it is not surprising that the
returns to the farmers bave been
very large, as trucking is a most
profitable industry. In a word, so
wonderful is the soil and so favor
able the climate of this Underwater
section, that North Carolina leads
all the states Of the Union in the ex-
tent and variety of veget fbles grown.
In the growth of fne strawberries it
takes first place, also ranks first in
the. production of lettuce, first in
huckleberrles, third in melons and
canteloupes, and is rapidly clim bing
to the top ia the production of Irish
potatoes.
the nine counties embraced in the
territory traversed by the Atlantic
g. North Carolina Railroad have an
annual harvest of about 25O,OO0
bushels of Sweet potatoes each Not
only r vegetables raised for the
market in immense quantities and
great varities, but the agricultural
products of the territory under con-
sideration comprise cotton, tobacco,
corn, wheat, oats, sugar cane, pea
nuts and melons.
Both cotton and corn are staple
crops Of all this area. Tobacco, like
wise, is an important product. Near
ly the whole region is underla; d
with MARIA very valuable fartiliz-
ing material Astounding in sufficient
quantity to keep the land produc-
tive tor Centuries to come.
Excellent crops and good pric, S
are rapidly enriching Eastern North
Carolina, and opportunities fol
money-making in its commercial
and industrial development were
never SO great as now. Fertile lands
can be obtained at a nominal price
by the farmer and home-seeker, and
good business opportunities are open
to the manufacturef,,, merchant,
mechanic and laborer.
Requests for this booklet or for
information regarding this section
should be addressed to, F. L.
Merritt, Land and industrial Agent,
Goldsboro, N. 9.