The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1908-09-14
DRAINAGE OF SWAMPS.
Representatives of Seventeen
Eastern Counties of the State
Meet in Newbern to Discuss
the Matter of Swamp Drain

N1e0C IN lNeWOern to DISCUSS
the Matter of Swamp Drain
age.
A drainage convention was
held in NeWbern Wednesday and
Thursday for the purpose of dis
cussing the important question
of drainage. The following is
taken from the report of the
convention to The Charlotte OBJ
server:
The first speech was from Hon.
J. H. Small, of Washington, N. |
c. His remarks were based on
the proposition that what was
practically regarded as valueless
land has been demonstrated to be
fertile. AS the lands of the
West have been reclaimed by
irrigation, so the swamp lands
can be easily reclaimed and
the Southland may claim for it's
twentieth century heritage a rich
and priceless treasure. Not only
do the swamp lands require
drainage, he said, but also the
open lands a little higher in
position but more or less under
water. He referred to conditions
in Hyde county where at present
there is no certainty of obtain
ing good results because the land
5 is under water. Fertile river
bottoms of the trucking and the
piedmont sections are also sub
ject to this treatment. Drain
age concerns the whole State
: and what is done for a section in
+ this work will benefit the entire
Commonwealth. The study of
n the drainage question is some
n thing of a revelation. By it this
n section will be transformed not
n only in agricultural and COM
: mercial lines but also in altering
s health conditions. Drainage has
/ two benefits. One is to the pri-
/: vate owner, his land being in
j creased in value, aud one to the
J. public in the health improve
r ment of the community. We must
) get together and cooperate tc
J. accomplish the results offered by
n this idea. The project is toe
: gigantic to undertake in a pri.
IS vate capacity. No corporation
ol could do it. Only through CO
st operation with the government
can they be accomplished.
re The help drainage would give
le to highways was also mentioned
s. Illiteracy and the inactivity O.
S. Southern people was criticised ant
n, cited as a cause for the neglec
O. of this important feature o
S. agricultural improvement. w
O. need q law which shall say t
A. men, "You shall drain you
n land" It is a necessity and ther
is must be a compulsory feature t
d. make the plan universal. @
ir. closing Mr.. Small referred to tw
m, men whose work in behalf G
10, drainage has been signally SUI
10. cessful: Prof. J. O. Wright an
DR.. J. H. Pratt.
IT. PROFESSOR WRIGHT SPEAKS.
' * Professor Wright was the nez
To- speaker. He said the value {
ar property depends on the con
cR pensation it returns. Railroa
Aft and bank stock is expected
H give good dividends; a store
ck only valuable when it returns
" rent. So the farm is only il
ol- trinsically good for the actu;
,as benefit derived. 1t is only ha
as good when it can do half theworl
aft # There are 100000 acres {
nd swamp land in North Carolina,
he large portion cultivatable. Swan
h land will produce no revenue e:
! cept through the yield of timb
,n- but in most cases the land coul
ith be made more available if drail
nd ed. Indiana tried the eXpel
ith ment with splendid success al
The land which could originally ha7
ON been purchased for Sic to $25 {
Ioe acre now sells for $120 to $17
ool Conditions similar to those a
is in existence here. He told of
1ce method adopted in Illinois whit
in increased the value of far
" lands 500 per cent. in a yea
ool The Legislature passed a Ia
ear enabling the people to drain
ov- fixed area of land. Then tn
fol- carried on a work of educate
mn and got the sentiment of t
The people in a right direction. T
T. law provided that majority
to the residents in certain sectio
.ect should apply to the court t
,sia draining land. The court g
TiIe points a surveyor and two vie
At ers who make a preliminary {
all animation and estimates a
report to the court. The repC
rom is placed on file and the peol
and given a right to examine, amer
tax reject or adopt it as they see
-ere The surveyor and viewers
the over the tract a second tin
ian make more detailed report a
ntv give the same to the col
ion- S and action is taken.
ions this way large sections of t
Nc Ntate nave peen feclalrleo d
tee- noxious effects of swan
ct- Bonds for the financing of /
Deal 0e'"sre Oh "''''"e"'S A"f Na'0'
die that Contain Mercury.