The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-09-19
(By EDWARD e. BR1TTON.)

yember.
(By EDWARD e. BRITTON.)
S%mithfield. N. c., Sept. 16.-John-
ston county is in good shape. mat
is what 1 have found to be the case
during a visit here this week, n
as court is in session, | have had an
opportunity to talk to MANY men
from many sections of the county
There is in their talk the b~reezlness
that tells Of affairs in good shape and
that they belong to the firm OF Pros
perity and Co., unlimited.
Crops, of course was the main
tonic of conversation, and the report
was that as to money returns Jonn-
ston county would get in about the
same column as last year, for While
there is a fall off in cotton the acre
age has been increased, corn is about
the same and tobacco, while a far
smaller crop, is selling at better
prices. So there is no gloom IN
Johnston county, the outlook being
regarded as most excellent.
The Gotten crop is expected to reach
about the average of that OF last year
some $4,000 bales. AS in other sec
tons Of the State Johnston has been
hurt as to it's cotton crop by the un-
seasonab,.. weather and has suffered.
rbut L "CiS ~ - b
this year than last and in the number
of bales it is expected hat the split
with last year will be about an ever
one. The crop is being picked out
rapidly and it is said that by the first
of October it will be all ready for
the gin. And all farmers who are
able are going to hold till the prices
ket.
The corn CROP This year is reported
as being about the same as that Of
last wear, and there is the general feel
ing that Johnston is all right as to
corn. / talked with a umb Of
m who said that more than ever
in the past they had put in a hog
crop and were raising more meat at
home; that they got better prices for
corr when it was in the hogs than
otherwise and hat even if on the
farm all the meat was used it paid to
do this. And they predicted that in
the future Johnston would deal more
largely in raising hogs.
The tobacco situation is a guess as
yet, for the acreage has been cut Off
by an untimely season and from other
causes. I found estimates running
from a thirty to a fifty per cent crop,
out while the crop is reported as be-
ing way off, it is the feeling that the
prices. if they keep up as they nave
started, Will largely compensate Tor
the shortness of this crop. The quail
ity of the leaf is reported good and
the best of prices are being expected.
Johnston county has the good
roads fever and it is taking hold in
a business-like way. The roads are
being improved and especially is
there interest in the Central High
aWy." This is to be in fine shape
and other counties will have to get
busy if they expect to have their
roads in III same good shape as
those of Johnston.
And there is progress to be report
ed of Smithtield. This place has a
solid look, a substantial look. There
is no mushroom growth, no inflated
boom, but there is a steady going
ahead process. And is proof wanted?
If SO. here are some of the details
of what has been don since the first
of January:
The principal business streets have
been paved with granolithic, and the
u~nsightly wooden shelters have been
removed from the front of the stores,
these having been replaced with avn
ings. And granolithic sidewalks GER
tE7lniy make an Improvement. No
town can make a better investment
than putting money in these kinds
of sidewalks. ,
A bond issue of $4,000 has been
voted to install waterworks, sewerage
and lights, all these to be installed
during the coming year. And then a
bond issue of s25,O0O has been made
3ts proper equipment. The bonds are