South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1837-06-03

have not seen one hundred acres OF
land IN this section of the state that
would be called poor in Virginia.
The general surface of the country is
pleasingly undulating or rolling:-por-
tons on the immediate borders of water
courses are low and wet it is rarely
hllly with the exception of the bluffs
usually betting the low lands just allu-
ded to.
In this region of the state, with the
exception Of the upper and more nor
thern portion of it, the most desirable
lands have generally been entered, but
good second and third-rate entries may
still be made. In the northwestern
part of the district Of which am treat
ing, there is large body of the finest
land in the state that has not yet been
brought into market.
TIL price of second hand lands is
greater here than in any other part of
the state equally distant from market.
The usual price of farms may be said
to be from ~ to SIS per acre. Infe-
,rior situations are sometimes bought for
less, r4Superior ones often sold for
more.
The first settlers of this country were
either poor or addicted to hunting, and
little regarded the refinement of the
older states. Every thing in building,
subduing the forest and supporting
themselves, was effected with their
own axe, plough and rifle, and hence
we often find here what we often see
in the Valley of Virginia, houses with
out even one glass window, the light
and air being admitted by door oppo-
site blazing hearth.
Still some of the log houses with
puncheon floors, clapboard roofs and
wooden chimneys, are very desirable
for the fresh emigrant anxious tor a
shelter, and who comes prepared to e.
rect for himself a more comfortable
dwelling.
Emigrants coming to this country to
settle farms, should be prepared to en-
dure hardships:-to tent out, or to
sleep in or under their wagons ifneces-
sary, or they should be able to purchase
a farm partly improved. Their extra
capital they may invest in lands bought
of the U. States, at $l,25 per acre,
which in the opinion Of the most judi
cious and sober-minded man here, will
increase in value 100 per cent. per an
mum for ten years to come.
The people of this country en- masse
are intelligent and enterprising;-as
sober, kind, friendly and sociable, as
any equal number ofpeople to be found
in any of the old States. They are all
intent upon making money by the pur-
chase of government lands, and the
words section, hay-section, and quarter
section, are terms as familiar here as
scythe and sickle, in Rockingham, du-
ring harvest and hay-making.
The farmers raise with great ease,
swine, horned cattle, sheep, horses &
mules. With but Indifferent plough
inc the land yields grass, wheat, hemp,
oats, Indian corn, rye, flax, tobacco,
potatoes, pumpkins, and melons OF ev'
cry description.
All sorts of acorns and nuts, except
chesnuts, abound here the hickory
& hazlenut in great abundance on the
uplands, and the delightful paccan in
the bottoms. On these the swine sub
sist and become very fat, so that it is
necessary to feed them but little, until
within a few weeks before they are
slaughtered.
Hickory, blackberry walnut, ash, elm,
locust, linden, cherry, cotton wood and
the various oak, abound as the common
growth of the forest. In some places
there are extensive beds OF bituminous
coal.
Indian corn is now worth So % per
barrel, wheat ST, Is per bushel, oats %
cents, bacon II l-2, and beef 5 cents
per pound for the long quarters, the
hide and tallow being given as the per-
quisite of the butcher,
We have but few tanners &cur1ers
in this region, and scarcely any shoe
makers. Ourboots and shoes are near
" all brought from the east. The
country is better supplied with saddlers.
All workers in iron do a profitable
business here, as you may judge from
the fact that two dollars is the price Tor
shoeing horse all round, and all other
work in the same proportion.
Wagon and carriage makers are
scarce and their wages high they get
SIS for the wood work of large wag-
on, and $50 for the wood work OF a
horse-cart. Good journeymen OF this
trade get $40 per month in Palmyra
The carpenters and bricklayers OF the
country are unable to execute all the