SOLON ROBINSON, 1850 453 



disposed to give them a tribute of high praise for the 

 great work they have done. 



From Goldsboro' to Wilmington, nearly the whole prod- 

 uce of the country is turpentine. What a curious appear- 

 ance to a stranger is presented by pines upon a turpen- 

 tine place. The white sides of the trees look like so many 

 marble monuments, when seen by a dim light through 

 the dark forest. Forty miles of this part of the road is 

 level and straight — the land is poor, surface water in a 

 wet time nearly covering the whole vast extent. 



Wilmington is the great emporium of America for 

 pitch-pine lumber and turpentine. It is situated upon 

 the side of a very sandy hill, 30 miles above the mouth of 

 Cape-Fear River. Here we take steamers for Charleston, 

 180 miles. Fare $5 — time 17 hours. There are some val- 

 uable rice plantations upon this river. Dr. Hill, whom I 

 chanced to meet on the steamer going down to his plan- 

 tation, told me he made 70 bushels to the acre last season, 

 and has made 90. A railroad is now building to connect 

 the Wilmington road with the South-Carolina roads, in 

 order to avoid the unpleasant sea voyage to Charleston. 



I arrived at Charleston December 20th — perfect balmy 

 May morning — think of that ye men of frost and snow 

 and December storms! 



Charleston Market. — December 21st., I have just re- 

 turned from viewing the abundance of green vegetables, 

 flowers and spring-like productions for sale, and now sit 

 writing at an open window, enjoying the luxury of such 

 delicious weather in winter. How unfortunate it does not 

 continue throughout the year; but the difficulties, con- 

 nected with summer in South Carolina, are equal to those 

 in winter to the inhabitants of Canada and Vermont; 

 perhaps more so, for health is more affected. How much 

 every one should study contentment with his own lot, 

 striving more to improve his situation than to change it. 



Small Corn Crops. — In a visit to John's Island, I find 

 much of the corn planted last spring did not produce over 

 five bushels to the acre. What a difference between this 



