Eastern North Carolina Encyclopedia/Economic Resources of Duplin County
Economic Resources of Duplin County
Duplin County, situated in the southeastern
part of the State of North Carolina, has an
ideal climate for farming. The population is,
therefore, for the most part, rural, and of the
purest American stock. This rural population
is educating its children with modern means
and methods, always steadfastly clinging to
the curricula which will make for men and
women trained both for citizenship and life.
Of the 483,306 acres of land, there is a great
portion that is offered for development, and the
new vitality and knowledge of the new-comer
is welcome.
FARMING
Duplin County contains some of the best farming lands in the United States, and the second best in the South. 65,100 acres are cultivated by farm owners; 41,788 by tenants. Tobacco, cotton and truck crops are grown in greater abundance than any other. There are over 11,000 acres well suited to the production of cotton. In 1920, an average of 275 pounds of lint cotton was produced per acre. In 1920, there were 52,720 acres of corn, which produced on an average of 19 bushels an acre. The southern end of the county is well suited for the growing of tobacco, cotton, corn, and berries. The northern end is suited to the growing of cotton, corn, Irish and sweet potatoes, melons, berries, and cucumbers. In 1920, the bright leaf tobacco produced in Duplin County sold for approximately six and a half million dollars.
The largest shipping point for tuberoses and Magnolia bulbs in the world is at Magnolia. The largest cucumber market in the world is at Calypso.
There are 304,989 acres of wooded land, 6,083 acres improved pasture lands, 106,850 acres cultivated lands, and 23,267 acres of land cleared and easy to cultivate, BUT AT PRESENT LYING OUT IDLE.
MANUFACTURING
Though agriculture is the principal occupation, the manufacture of lumber, doors, sash, and fruit and vegetable packages, both for home and foreign use, has assumed considerable proportions. The recent extension of the Tidewater Power Company's power lines through the county opens up new possibilities in this field. With this power in the cotton producing centers, the manufacture of cotton and cotton seed products will be an ideal industry for this section. The use of Tidewater power is considered cheaper than the use of steam in manufacturing in this county.
WEALTH
The census property valuation of the county in 1919 was $32,500,000; crop production, $20,000,000; per capita wealth, $1,080; per capita farm production, $665. The bank resources are approximately $3,800,000. There are in Duplin County ideal opportunities for opening up new fields of wealth, namely, the manufacture of cotton, cotton seed products, and lumber. Electric power is available in the centers where these raw materials are produced at reasonable rates.
POPULATION
The increase in population from 1910 to 1920 was 18.8 per cent, 2.9 per cent higher than the average rate for North Carolina, and 3.9 per cent higher than the average rate for the United States.
The population, according to the 1920 census, was 30,223. The majority of inhabitants are of pure American stock, whose predecessors were Irish, Scotch, English, and Swiss, mainly. There are no undesirable aliens.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Living conditions are good, and the climate is healthful. Crowded conditions do not exist. The majority of inhabitants live in rural communities, in which there are good churches and schools.
CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS
Each rural community has its church, the denomination of which is either Methodist, Baptist, or Presbyterian. The other denominations have few churches in the county.
The value of school property is approximately one-half million dollars. New buildings valued at about $110,000 will be completed in 1923. The expenditure of about $210,000 on the erection of new buildings is being planned for the next two years.
The County Board of Education on the 15th of January, 1924, adopted a definite and comprehensive county-wide plan of organization of schools, which looks to the ultimate consolidation of all the schools in the county unit. In each township, one central school, modernly equipped, is planned. This plan has the cooperation of the State Department of Education. Many townships have already consolidated, and others are working with that aim.
For any specific information about Duplin County, address—
JAS. J. BOWDEN, Register of Deeds
KENANSVILLE, N. C.