Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-10-28
NORTH WESTERN VIRGINIA.

of the N. Y. Farmer and Mechanic,
gives a highly interesting account Of
the condition and resources of
North Western Virginia, a region
which the editor remarks, is attracting
considerable attention in the North. -
This region embraces ''nearly fifty
large counties. covering superficial
area Of an immense extent.o The fol-
lowing extracts will be found interest
ing:
The country is undulating in its
character, but our highest hills are rare
ly too steep for cultivation. The soil
is adapted BY nature to every descrip-
ton Of grass, and what may seem re-
markable, our highest SUBMITS bear
grass, with the greatest facility and
profusion. In fact, our bill lands are
most frequently used for meadow and
Oct bottoms for grain. As country
adapted to the growth and manage
ment of sheep, competent Judges con-
cur in the opinion that itcannot be SUR
passed, but a want of capital and en-
terprise has hitherto prevented US from
engaging in that business, to an ex-
tent which would have developed our
resources, or attracted attention else
where. Cattle are our great staple,
and from which we draw with the
greatest facility our chief revenue
The stock raised here (,hough small,
and which by improved breeds could
be easily obviated,) are taken 20 the
East, there grain fed, and marketed
Our low lands are adapted to every
kind of grain usual in this county
40 bushels of wheat, Is to 100 bushels
of corn to the acre, are often raised,
and that avatsout manure. Rye, oats,
buckwheat, potatoes, &C., &C., are
raised with the greatest profusion-
wheat is generally worth here 81 l-2
cts, corn IS, potatoes 20 cts. g., &c.
An inspection of the map, will show
that this part Of Virginia occupies the
intermediate region between the waters
of the Atlantic and the Mississippi, and
that in time, we must become the great
est connecting link between the North
and South. Already several rail roads
are in projection and consummation
from the waters of the Chesapeake to
those Of the Ohio, and when complet-
ed will produce to this country i'm
mense Developments. Our mineral
wealth exists in almost bounulees pro-
fusion. Every hill rests on bed of
bi.uminous coal of the best quality,
ranging from S to 10 feet in thickness,
and easy OF access. We have iron
and limestone in great abundance, and
several other minerals in less quantities.
Our improved lands are estimated in
value from $40 to $l5, though very
good land in partial state Of improve
ment can be bought from So to S.
Our wild and unimproved land can be
purchased in any quantity from 10 cts.
an acre up to 50.
The mechanic arts flourish among
us in their lowest possible and most
primitive stage, and the opening for
mechanics is as good as any inland
country in the United States. Agri-
culture is conducted upon The worst,
and most obsolete principles. We
have a few good farmers AMONG us,
but they have been but recently ac-
quired by emigration, and are rare,
though | am happy to say that their
example is producing the best results.
J 1t is needless for me to say that we
have timber Of all descriptions and al
most 5onndless water power--all We
want to render this, one of the most
favored spots IN this great Union, is
the accession TO our population Of in
telligent practical mechanics and far
mers, with capital, and the construc-
|tion Of these Improvements which
would furnish US with an adequate out
le, to market