Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-11-14

command n fourth Of the orie. ~
these sales in Jefferson. And wha, !,
the reasonF 10 it not because the pro.
ducs ot them is 80 heavily taxed before
1t reaches . markets Candcr compels
me to acknowledge that, in the county
oil Jefferson, there is spirit Of indus
try aud pains taking among the far.
mers, which enables them 10 reap bea-
W crops from the soil, and, at the same
lime, keep ii improving. We have
not this spirit East of the Blue Ridge.
II may exist generally in Loudoun, 10
part. OF Fauquier, aud with few IN
d,viduais scattered over other counties.
But, generally, We do not take proper
pans with our lands-and the efforts
we have made To obtain cheap trans
portation To market are even more dis
reputable To US than our tillage.
These sales in Jefferson shew the ad
vantages OF roads and canals, and ought
10 stimulate the people East Of the
Mountains To obtain similar facilities.
AZ present, produce bears good price,
and 10 likely TO maintain il. Yet, look
at the low price Of our lands. Even
within four or fve miles of Richmond.
really good and productive land can
scarcely be disposed Of for half price.
And Why is this! For nv own part, I
cannot account for il. except IL be ow-
ing TO the low price Of land throughout
that portion Of country trading 10 Rich
mond. u cannot be denied but that
there - much good land in Chester-
field, Heurico and Hsnover, although
there are large bodies Of poor soil in
each OF these counties. But IL in wor.
thy OF remark, that, the poorest Of
these, even the pewtry .crawfish slashes
and ~hortleberry ridges, improve ra-
p,diy under careful and fine tillage.-
But the quantity Of fertile creek and
RIVER low grounds within ten miles of
Richmond, 10 ten times ~ much rs a
stranger would suppose. Parts of them
are kind TO wheat, and they all yield
profitable crops Of grass, corn, oats,
rye, and all the varieties Of vegetables,
both for the table and for the farm pen.
notwithstanding we buy SO much hay
and SO many vegetables from the East.
Very little expense has been incurred
IN careful draining and neat cultiva-
ton; though where this has been the
case, j doubt whether the fine lands IF
Jefferson have yielded better clear
profit, though they may produce heavier
crops.
Why, then, should there be such a
wide difference in the Price7 I speak
only OF the good lands, and those with
requisite qualities for improvements
u our men Of capital prefer to invest
all their money in brick houses in town,
IN bank stock, or 20 lend il out 10 in
dividuals, they probably err. For, n
well-'inproyed little farm in the neigh
borhood Of good market and good
society, is delightful retreat for plea
sure or for health-and in very MANY
cases, may become the permanent re.
sidence Of the family, and a certain
source OF comfort and independence
These considerations, acting on tho
minds of capitalists and men Of busi-
ness IN other commercial cities, have
induced many Of them TO purchase cs-
Adjustments in the country, and Co
improve them with spirit and taste
thereby giving new life and animation
to stimulating the Improvement aud
enhaneing the value Of the surrOu nding
country.
IL the destroying tide Of emigration
can be stepped, Virginia will soon re-
cover from her depleted condition. -
And nothing can stop ia, but vigorous
Efforts to make the necessary internal
Improvements, that the products Of
her soil may get TO market promptly
and cheaply. When this shall be tho
case, new spring will be given to IN
iustry; men will see theirWay clearly,
and set to work to enrich their farms,
and TO make something beyond a scan
jty living. II they do not do 20, other
men will come from other quarters and
buy Up their lands and make them what
I a kind providence intended them 20 be.
In either point of view. we need ia the
State generally. the improvements
which give TO lands in Jefferson so
much additional val1e. II We do not
choose 70 remAin in the land oC our ia
Tiers. we shall be enabled ,he moro
readily 10 sell their bones and migrate.
What We spend for good roads and ca.
nails. will be returned to Us three. fold.
IN the enhanced price of lands We are
tired OF and wish 10 abandon.
RICHMOND.
- So
a farm. one mde from Norrisgown.
Pa. Of i4j acres, was sold On tie 18th