The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-04-03
Mr.. GODWiN's IAlF JETANT Bill

CONGRESSMAN Goodwin, Of this dis
wict. some time ago introduced a
bill in the house directing the secre-
tary of agriculture to investigate and
report to congress upon the location
and area of swamp lands subject to
overflow in this section Of the state.
The purpose of the bill is to ascer-
tain what of such lands are suscep-
tibIe to drainage and being made fit
9or agriculture, what the cost OF
sach drainage will amount to and
what will be the increased value o.
sueh lands after drainage On last
Wednesday ME- Goodwin took occasion
ef the open debate when the house
was in committee Of the whole to ad-
dress that body On the subject matter
of his bill. He went into a full de-
ssription OF the swamp lands OF this
section of the state and showed their
value TO the state could they be made
fit for agriculture, quoting Professor
Emmons' statement that the swamp
soils of North Carolina show
greater power of induranee than the
prairie soils of Illinois" Mr. Goodwin
gave many facts and figures showing
the vast area of these swamp lands
and the great Importance to agricul-
ture of their being brought under
ellage.
Speaking Of what would be the re-
suits of the drainage and consequent
cultivation of these swamp lands MI
Goodwin said:
But the chief value of the drained
lands in my state, and especially in
my district, would be as the market
garden for the large cities of the
north Atlantic seaboard. Their pro-
ducts, if moved by express, could
leave their nearest market towns at
sunset and be ready for the break
fast table in Washington Or Balti-
more the next morning, and could
reach Philadelphia and New York by
noon The fringe of country down the
Atlantic coast is peculiarly adapted
to market gardening, not only be-
cause of it's fertility of soil, but also
because of it's climate and it's proxi-
nifty to the great markets. In this
part of the country isothermal lines
do not run east and west, but north
east and southwest. Eastern North
Carolina is warmer than northern
Georgia or Alabama. 1t has about the
same temperature as middle Georgia
and Alabama It's garden products are
ready for the markets at about the
same time as those of middle Geor-
sia and Alabama, and are not more
than half as far from them in dis
tance or time. On this account mar
ket gardening has already become an
important industry in this section,
and with the addition of the $780,
900 acres of the most fertile land in
America, or the part of it that could
profitably be devoted to vegetables,
it could supply the large cities with
vegetables earlier than the sections
farther north, and at less cost for
transportation than the sections far
ther south.
Drainage is of vast Importance to
the people of North Carolina, but in
my district it is too vast an under |
taking to be attempted by Individual |
landowners, just as irrigation in the |
west Is too vast an undertaking to !
be attempted by individual landown- |
ers there.
This is a good move Mr. Goodwin |
has made. Can he succeed in having |
the government drain these swamp |
lands he will do his section of the |
state inestimable good. Nothing that |
would be of greater advantage to our
section could be undertaken. For this |
reason he should have the support |
OF all men of his district He should
be encouraged by promises of ear
nest support in this most important
undertaking.