Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-05-14
FACTS ABOUT YORK.

The following summary Of histori-
cal, agricultural, physical and COM
mercial facts about York county is
taken from the report that Messrs.
j. L. Drake and H. L. Belden made to
the secretary Of agriculture in connec-
tion with the soil survey made by them
some time since. 1t contains quite a
lot of very valuable information, and
is worth careful consideration:
Since the first settlement in York
county, made in 1857 by immigrants
from Pennsylvania, the county has
progressed slowly, but steadily, until at
the present time 1t Is reckoned one
of the most progressive in upper Car
olina. A significant feature Of recent
Investigations Is that York, unlike
mont section of South Carolina, show
ed a population, according to the last
census Of SO per cent colored.
Formerly there was adequate supply
of farm labor, but changed conditions
have gradually been bringing about a
scarcity, the effects of which, although
varying somewhat in different sections,
are being felt more or less all over the
country. The increase in the cotton
manufacturing industry has taken
practically all the white laborers to
cent Of the population Of the county
are colored, 1t would seem that all
needed farm labor could be drawn
from this race but many seek other
employment, generally In the towns or
on public works, where wages are
higher, while the more skilled agri-
culturally prefer to farm for them
selves under one or another form Of
tenancy. AS result general search
ty of labor is being felt, which will in
time have it's effect upon the agricul-
ture of the area. The farmer will have
to meet this by doing his own work
with the aid Of more improved ma
chinery. 1t is not an uncommon sight
now to see the white farmer and his
entire family at work in the fields to-
gether during the busiest season Of the
year.
Because of the one-crop system
which many farmers in York county
follow, there is little opportunity to
take advantage of soil adaptation, and
no attention Is paid to the matter
There are differences, however which
are plainly recognizable. The Cecil
clay is we'll adapted to the growing Of
wheat, oats, clover and cowpeas, and
the grasses. 1t is a very strong soil
for cotton and corn, the average yields
of the former probably equalling that
of any other type in the county The
objection sometimes offered is that the
lint is often stained by the red dust or
the smashing Of the soil by beating
rains. This soil Is easily built up. and
II keeps cotton producing later In the
fall than do the other soils. The Cecil
sandy loan Is more typically cotton
soil, but fair yields Of corn, wheat and
oats are also obtained. Sweet potato"s
and other crops which require a warm
soil do well. The subsoil is not open
mr. porous. and hence holds moisture
we'll and the soil is sandy and easily
cultivated. and on the whole 1t is
tvne which comes nearest meeting the
Seneral requirements Of all the crops
of the area. The Cecil sand is best
suited to cotton, melons, and cary
truck crops, and the Iredell clay to
grass. cotton and corn. The meadow,
ar bottom lands, Of the area Is best
apted to corn and to grasses for hay
and pasture. Where we'll drained and
not subject to frequent overflow, alfal-
ia would perhaps do better on, this
than on any Of the other types OF the
area. ,.,,,. - vo,,,
county are above the average for the
Southern states. One branch of the
Southern railway crosses the eastern
mart through Fort Mill, and Rock
HiII Another branch crosses from
tho southeast corner and passes out
oar the northwest corner, running
through Rock Hill and Yorkville. The