Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-16

that of all portions of the u States, this OF Virginia IS
the most blest with happy and truly healthy Climate
The soil is dark rich mould, luxuriant and extreme
~ fertile returning pentifully whatever ~ committed
10 it, and will ford any production which ie grown
of the L. States.
"The produce is cotton, tobacco, wheat, corn, rye,
oats hemp, FAX, &c. and fruit in great abundance;
indeed there sort of grain but m'ghtbe cultIva
ted with advantage. This Stale ubounds more with
minerals and fossils than any State in The Union
ron lead COAL marble, limestone chalk, gypsum ond
salt. are found in sbundance medicinal herbs and
roofs particularly snake root, and ginseng, are also
in great plenty.
From what had been said OF the soil and climate it
is easy 10 infer the variety and perfection of the vege
table productions. The ntercommuncation by rivers
canals railroads and turnpkes, not only tends 10 ac
nate the operations Of their residents but also
affords requisite channels 10 and from the adjoining
States Indeed a recent article in the Cincinnati
Chronicle respecting the railroad routes from Cumber
land (the present terminating point of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad) TO the waters OF the ONO rIrer
saws e nearest for the transportation Of goods
DC is from Cumberland 10 Parkersburg, IN Wood Co.,
Western Virginia, on the Ohio river. Again, the
known severity OF Winters and the droughts Of
Summers close all communication by water with The
other Western States; whilst Western Virginia. with
her splendid railroads and turnp'kes, IS enabled not
only all times, but at all seasons OF the year. 10 con
yey her productions to Richmond, Baltimore and all
our Eastern markets, by which easy communications
the farmer, acture and artzan not only command
The highest prices but also meet win quick and ready
returns for their products. This must certainly be
looked upon as great desideratum, particularly to the
farmer as by il he sells direct 10 the consumer, and
makes his purchases for what articles be may require
with a saving Of ut least so to 20 per cenlum-
Her forests Of splendid timber hold out great induce
men,s for the manufacturer oil pot ana pearl ashes,
querctron bark, slaves, SC.
"The price Of unceored land ranges from TO three
dollars cleared from five dollars and cultivated
from len to eighty dollars per acre. The uncleared
lands, consisting of forests, very easy OF CULTIVATION
there being no uuderwo God bush growing beneath,
aud the settler, grdIng (or cutting around The body
of the trees so as 10 prevent the sap from running up
enabled TO plough, harrow and put his seed
in The ground the timber not standing 80 thick TO
impede his operations Indeed, it is no unfrequeDt
sight to see large cultivated farms with this grdled
timber standing thereon, leaving them tor Time the
levelcr Of all things, To bring them 10 The ground
Bitumnous COAL being very abundant, and selling
at from 81 20 81 30 per ton, has debarred that extern
sive clearing of be forests that would otherwise have
taken place.
"However, as they are now turning their attention to
the manufacture of pot and pearl ashes &c, more
clearance will of be the result All the
melloratng grasses Of Europe, here find counter SOIL
IL belongs TO botanst 10 recount the various kinds of
useful and sautary herbs shrubs ard roots, that grow
throughout this Western Virginia. Indeed, il is Pc
cullarly favorable the growth Of grass and clover
that it has been urged on the inhabitants 10 confne
their attention to the rearing of cattle and sheep
than at present. The superiority of it's grazing and
pasture grounds is proverbial finer cattle and sheep
than those from Western Virginia, part of this Union
can boast Of and their pork and more particularly
their hams, their quality and their superiority 10 the
well known Westphalia hams, are admitted by all.