The growing season in SWVA is too short for cotton. One of the large money makers in SWVA is the timber business. In William C. Pendleton's book, History of Tazewell county and Southwest Virginia 1748-1920 is a photo of a large walnut log being exported from Tazewell co. The log is loaded on a large wagon which is drawn by eight horses and a man standing on the wagon floor is just head high taller than the diameter of the log! I personally have seen remnants of Tazewell Co. chestnut stumps exceeding 48 inches in diameter. Pendleton gives a good account of the finance of Tazewell county folks. I recommend it to all. David. M. Burke deburgh@scescape.net