Eastern North Carolina Encyclopedia
although there are several cotton gins and lumber mills. In the forests of the county there are millions of feet of virgin hard and soft wood timber. Another natural resource is marl. It is estimated that there is 100 million tons in one body that analyzes from 90 to 95 per cent calcium carbonate and some of this has a trace of phosphate. There is another 100 million tons that is suitable for making concrete and suitable clay can be found nearby for mixing with it. Practically every farmer has his marl bed and uses this marl for liming the soil.
The two banks of the county do a good business and lend their assistance to the development of the county. Good schools are maintained. The tax rate is low, being only a 1.15 rate for the county. The public roads are well maintained and a concrete road runs through the county affording easy access to the markets for farm produce.
The land is fertile. It will produce more corn and better corn than the high priced lands of Iowa. It is well suited to the production of high quality tobacco, cotton, peanuts and hay. It will produce truck of all kinds in abundance. It is within 600 miles of 60 per cent of the entire population of the United States. Its products can be marketed in New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore.
Jones County is peculiarly fitted for the breeding and raising of live stock of all kinds. Grazing can be had practically the year round. No expensive housing is needed for the stock. Its natural pasturage and its excellent climate make of it the ideal dairying, sheep, hog and cattle raising section of America.
The fields, forests and streams abound in game and game fish. Deer, wild turkey, geese and duck are plentiful. In the spring our streams are full of shad and good fishing can be had the entire year.
Farm where there is a 12-month growing season and where you don't have to "put all of your eggs in one basket." Farmers in North Carolina, especially in Jones County where crops grow twelve months in the year do not have to depend entirely upon the proceeds of one crop or one season, to make money. Should one crop be short, or through over production fail to bring a good return on the market, there are always crops of the other seasons to fall back on.
Spring, summer, autumn, winter, the farmers of Jones County can grow something as a money crop. Orchard fruits, fall, winter and spring vegetables, summer staple crops, live stock, dairying, poultry, bees, etc., form a year-'round agricultural program
Twenty-Five
