R. M. COUCH, Southern Pines, N. C.--The statement of facts I shall make in this letter will lean to the conservative in all cases, as after a residence of eight years and an extensive correspondence with inquirers after facts, I have learned that the truth is good enough and exaggeration folly. By the advice of my physician I left New Hampshire and located here, and have not been North even on a visit since, and as the climate was the first consideration with me, let me say unqualifiedly that I believe it as near perfect all the year round as can be found in any part of the world. I am confirmed in this conclusion by the testimony of scores who have sought this haven of health after trying such places as Colorado, California, New Mexico, Arizona, and even the South of France and Italy. The healthfulness of this section being established, the next question which confronted me was the means of support, and as we make no claim that this soil (a light sandy loam) is adapted to general farming, we were compelled to look to the fruit industry as the most likely to help us out, and well are we repaid for the venture. It is proved that a dry atmosphere and porous soil produces very fine flavored fruit and that in this climate, also, the fruit “colors” up better and makes a much better appearance than that grown in a colder and less sunny climate. But one strong hold on the fruit industry lies in our geographical position as regards the ripening season, which brings our fruit into market, out of competition with any other section. This fact was proved by our shipments last season. Within five years there have been planted in this immediate section 1500 acres in fruit, and in order that your readers may have the advantage of direct correspondence with any or all the growers of fruit, I will give the names from memory: C. J. Eaglesfield was the pioneer on a small scale; S. N. Whipple, extensive peach, plum, grape and nut farm; Van Lindly Orchard Co., 350 acres peach, pear, plum and blackberry; Niagara Grape Co., 107 acres in grapes; Southern Pines Fruit-Growing Co., eighty acres in grapes; Benjamin Douglas, Jr., of Orange, N. J.; Tarbell & Carlton, H. P. Bilyeu, Dr. C. W. Weaver, C. D. Tarbell, Thomas Carlton, Fred Oberhouserheur, James H. Murray, S. W. Thomas, Charles H. Thompson, Edwin Newton, Doctors Boynton, Stevens and R. M. Couch, Rev. A. A. Newhall, B. Van Herff, J. T. Wilson, Dr. W. P. Swett, H. P. Stebbins, J. A. Morriss, R. S. Marks, L. S. Johnson, C. C. Mitchell, John Huttonhomer, F. J. Folley, Rev. J. W. Johnston, Mrs. L. A. Raymond, Mrs. Louisa Young, P. Pond, Fred Dixon and others. There were shipped from this point last season 150 tons, being the first bearing year of the oldest vineyards of much size. The bearing vineyards and orchards the coming season will more than double the shipments, and in two years all the vineyard trees mentioned will come to bearing.