Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-02-28
FROM THE cuLrivAToR.
A RAMBLE IN sOUTHw EsTERN VIRGINIA.

tour through Southwestern Virginia, more iainil-
lariy and distinctly known in our State, by the so
orlquet OF Little Tennessee" il may not be amiss
to jot down "currenie caamo," some recollectons
illustrative of that now secluded bu, interesting re-
gion.
young friend and brother farmer as nv com
panion, mounted stout steeds, the most eligible
means of locomotion in the present condition of sin
ternal improvements" in the proposed route,--we
set off on the evening of the day of the Presden-
ila election. Guided by the light of the moon and
the stars, we travelled until the rising sun of the
9th Nov. found us beyond the limits of our native
county, cold Augusta" We passed ON success
| sively through the counties of Rockbridge, Butc-
tonrt, and Roanoke, Of which have neither space
or intention 10 write particularly, and of which
there is less necessity, for their furnishing farms
beautiful villages, and supendous Natural Bridge
have already often found many and filter pens to
portray them.
! The nclemency Of the weather halted US for a.
gay a, the base OF the Allegheny mountains. The
| following morning found us upon its summit whence
casting ''lingering look" backwards on the blue
mountain boundaries of our valley, we spurred on
through the county of Montgomery, and crossing
New River, handsome wooden bridge, we
Were In the thriving new county of Pulaski. On
either side. we noticed beautiful farms-lnostly
covered with blue grass and the Seattle upon
thousand hills" quietly grazing in plenty Ar
rlvng upon the borders of Wythe county, we call
ed upon Col. Richardson, by whom we were shown
some fine cows and calves of the Machless and
Hampton breeds. (O These are large and finely
formed, commanding an excellent price They
were introduced into the county several wears since
by some Of It's enterprising citizens.
Bidding adieu 10 the hospitable family Of Col
Richardson, we next stopped with Mr.. Charles C..
L ate. This gentleman beautiful and ex-
tensive farm, well adapted 10 grazing purposes;
and nearly the whole of the cleared land about
500 acres, is well set in various kinds of grasses
n ma CT hn h,cc II 81 90
head of cattle. Some ofhs cattle show considera-
bic improvement upon the native stock of the coun-
ty. One OF the steers which he had fatened, we
saw buichered at the county seat, and it weighed
1910 lbs. nett. His sheep are of cross of the
Blackwell, upon the common stock of the country
Although not so large and heavy ileeced as the ul-
proved Cotswod, yet they are handsomely formed,
evince great aptitude 10 fatten, and altogether re-
1ect credit upon their spirited breeder His swine
are cross of the Berkshire from Massachusetts, and
large-tramed white hog obtained fom near Lyncl =
I burg, Va. They have proved TO be of perhaps the
pest breed yet introduced being well suited 10 the
/ farmers OF that region. We We're here shown .
Kind of grass. new to me, called from the name of
the person who Introduced ii, the "Randall Grass -
1t Is considered by Of the best farmers verv
valuable acquisition ii starts early in the s2rirG
grows luxurlanty, and affords an abundant and nu-
trtious food 1t looks somewhat like the Orchard
Grass," but does not appear so coarse nor does i
grow 50 much in tufts. 1t is, probably, the ENG
lish Blue grass. The common Blue grass prow
spontaneously, and abounds. Stock fatteU NOR
rapidly upon II than any other--a mixture however
OF several species, is generally preferred.
we visited Also the adjoining farm ''Furt CHS
We'll" Alter an introduction 10 lis worthy propr
etor, at our request we were conducted 10 distant
partof the farm, and shown lot of fat cattle We
estimated 20 Of the best TO weigh over 1900 lbs
gross each. There We're i25 in the lot n par
Were OF the Short-horn, showing high blood ana
good treatment the others with but few executions
were crossed with the Matchless and Hampton
stock We also saw q lot of fat hogs sIaughlere.
some of them weighed over 400 lbs nett Io
OF Is, averaging $40 lbs. nett. We saw man,
other things to interest us in ride over this mag
nficent estate of4, 900 acres. The county seat o
Montgomery county was formerly located here
Inc Old county Jail is still standing, miserable
looking log nut, iorc5Iy reminding Of the Black
mole In Calcutta-we were reluctantly compellet
to decline for that time, polite invitation 10 lh
mansion house, and parted with attentive friend
under promise 10 call upon him at some "mor
convenient season."
The following morning we left, with much re
greet, the kind and excellent family of Mr. Tate
VINO himself insisted on ACCOMMODATING lis q few
miles, in order TO show us the beautiful estate o
Gordon Kent, Esq. Unfortunately, MIR. Kent wa
absent from home: however, we took the liberty +
rue through his farm, and view his fine herd o
cattle, which was truly a gratifying sight Thi
is one OF the best farms in the county The fenc
ing was In good repair, and substantial gates huns
at the entrance Of all the fields through which W
passed. Buta small portion Of the arabic land is i
cultivation, grazing cattle being the great bushes
Of this country
; Here we parted with our gentlenanlv companion
not however until we had gratefully accented hi
KIND proposal TO rejon us the next day, 10 make
excursion INTO Smyth, his native county and ad
joining Wythe. Vending along through two n
more farms, we called upon C. L. Crockett, ESQ
very intelligent and agreeable gentleman. wh
grained us in showing his stock and farm. Here
TOT the frs and only time in this wealthy country
saw an agricultural paper-the Southern Piaafc,
was afterwards informed that Mr.. Crockett ha
been active IN introducing breeds Of stock of dae-
ent species, into that county. lie kindly oAere
10 accompany us when we returned. TO several Dor
ions OF 'he adjoining counties, which we had no
VISITED, and very much 10 my regret. an acciden
10 my horse, only prevented our compliance will
his polite invitation.
: we then started, in company with Nh Tate. 70
,, me hich valley in Snytli county. We saw many
Increasing things by the way which space viii no
permit us 10 mention. We will but alude TO tn,
me stock at the "Seven-milc- ford, :" large ant
wei managed farm on the middle fork Of the EIol
; sion rIyer. Indeed, every thing upon it reflected
praise on lis worthy and hospija5lo proprietor, Mr.
8 Hanson.
We rcxt visited the salt works in the Rich Val
ley, where we made tho acquaintance OF Ihos I.
Preston, ESD, devoted friend Of agricultural sci
e ence and agricultural improvement On tho day
previous to our arrival he had delivered TO large
" assembly Of the citizens Of Smyih, at the Court
house, an agricultural address, which was spoken
OF by all as an eloquent appeal and calculated 70 Do
much toward the promotion Of the noble cause Mr.
preston IS engaged IN manufacturing SALT has iTO
large furnaces IN operation making about 600 bush
els per dion. The supply Of salt water is thought
to be inexlaustibe. There are several other fur