CULTURE AND CURING IN NORTH CAROLINA. Ill 



Alongside the decline iu wealth in old areas of prosperity there are other instances in the South of the growth 

 of thrift and wealth iu communities which were poor before the war, but no other section presents such wonderful 

 changes. Comfortable farm-houses have taken ihe places of rude log-cabins, excellent and convenient barns and 

 outhouses exhibit the new thrift, and new life has been infused into all classes and into both races. The distinctive 

 feature of this phenomenon is that it has brought into requisition, as most profitable, the poorest soils in the state, 

 and wrought its improvements on the poorest farming classes. It has also enhanced the value of such lands until they 

 act ually sell for more than the most fertile bottom lauds, and the spectacle has actually been witnessed of a contention 

 between counties as to which could show the most poor laud. The effect of this is practically to incrense largely 

 the wealth-producing power of the state, breaking down the ordinary economic distinctions between sterile and 

 fertile lands. The amount of this enhancement cannot be given with even approximate accuracy, because nothing 

 definite can yet be known as to the area of tine tobacco lauds, the continued value of poor lands depending also on 

 the stability of the demand for such tobacco. 



The population of Winston, Forsyth county, in 1870 was 443. The leaf market opened in 1872, and one 

 small factory was built, making 40,000 pounds. There are now fourteen plug factories in operation, and one smoking- 

 tobacco factory not in operation. The plug factories make 3,880,000 pounds. Population in 1880, 2,854. 



Reidville, Rockingham county, had, in 1870, no corporate existence. In 1880 it had 1,31(5 inhabitants and 

 nine plug and two smoking-tobacco factories, with a capacity of 3,000,000 pounds of plug and twist. 



Lauds worth from $1 to $3 per acre in 1860 now bring from $20 to $100, and old fields, worn out fifty years ago 

 and grown up in piues tields which would scarcely produce a bushel of corn to the acre are now often sold for 

 $50 per acre. 



PROGRESS OP THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY. 



The area of tobacco has been enlarged in most of the counties reporting, showing a gradual growth from 1876 

 to 1879, Clay, Guilford, and Warren alone reporting a decreased area. 



As to quality, the crop of 1879 is generally reported better than that of the three years preceding, only two 

 counties reporting deterioration in quality by comparison with 1876-'77-'78, and the care directed to the production 

 of quality rather than quantity renders the exhibit as to the yield per acre apparently more unfavorable, 

 nearly half the schedules reporting a decreased yield per acre, two counties aboutthe same, and one-half an increased 

 yield for 1.S79, as compared with 187fl-'77-'78. If the comparison were with the years when shipping leaf was raised, 

 the diminution would be general ; but this comparison is only in tine-tobacco culture. It is worthy of notice here 

 that the counties where the industry is older show increased yield. The most experienced planters have learned 

 to combine body and weight with quality, and the production of different grades in the crop, in comparison between 

 1879 and 1809, shows the rapid change iu the character of the product. In 1869 the shipping leaf averaged 36 per 

 cent. ; in 1879, 15 per cent. ; while the proportion of fine tobacco, wrappers, tillers, and smokers, was enormously 

 increased in all the counties. In many localities tine tobacco has only been grown since 1869. 



The chief reason given for the great change in the character of the tobacco grown is the decline iu price for 

 shipping leaf, coinciding witli the demand for fancy leaf at high prices. 



The deterioration of quality in certain localities is attributed to the following causes : High prices have led 

 many to undertake the culture of fine tobacco without experience and on unsuitable lands ; others have been 

 induced to plant more than could be perfectly cultivated; and hasty and careless handling and curing have been 

 the faults of still others ; all these resulting in the production of much light, chaffy tobacco. This deterioration 

 is reported at from 1 to 5 per cent, in Granville, which is the best fine-tobacco county. The general product of 

 this county is, in the main, of improved character, better cultivated, and handled with increasing care and skill; 

 but the average of quality has been somewhat lowered by the numbers of inexperienced and unskillful men who 

 have rushed into the business of growing fine tobacco. 



VARIETIES OF TOBACCO. 



Slight differences in nomenclature, local names, and the uncertain use of descriptive adjectives make it difficult 

 to reach absolute accuracy in treating of the varieties of tobacco cultivated. 



The Orinoco, popularly called in some localities "Iron Oak", is a widely grown plant, of which at least three 

 varieties are reported the Yellow, the White-stem, and the Little or Sweet Orinoco. The Yellow Orinoco is early, 

 matures well, becomes bright on the hill, and has a broad, heavy leaf of a fine, silky texture. The White-stem 

 Orinoco grows brighter and whiter on the hill than most varieties, and is more easily cured the desired color. The 

 fiber is also white. Silky Pryor has a long, sharp-pointed leaf, and grows thin on the stalk, with a leaf very tough 

 and pliant when cured, which can be handled drier than any other variety. The Bullock has a broad, smooth leaf, 

 with no ruffle on the stem. It stands heat well in curing. The leaves are far apart on the stalk, and it bears few 

 suckers, often not more than four or five to the plant; nor do suckers start from below the surface of the hill. On 

 account of the space between the leaves, a hand can sucker one-third more of this variety than of any other. The 

 Cary makes a good sample, has a round leaf, and yellows well on the hill. Virginia Seed-Leaf and Tally are also 

 grown to some extent. The Yellow Orinoco has largely the preference among planters, the Gooch and tbe*Bull-face 

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