Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-21


New ork- is, 073,000 %
Mlch1gan- ---.---.- 4,91S,000 I"
Maryland. - $4,000. 4,494,650 sc
In the yield of Indian corn, Ohio bears off the
palm, or rather she stands prinus inter pareS
mdgnos, tor five States stand almost in line In
regard to this important staple.
These States and their respective crops are as
follows;
Ohio, bushels of Indian corn 59,7s8,75o
Kentucky, $4,000, ZOO
Illinois, $1,000, 900
Indiana, 53,000,000
Tennessee, $4,000 600
The corn crop of 1850 for the whole United
States is returned as over 500, 900, 900 of BUSH
els, gain of about 40 per cent. on that of 1910.
In Eastern Virginia, the career of improve
ment may be said to be but just begun. We
are scarcely in the full tide of successful expert
ment, yet the striking fact, communicated in the
Governors message, of an increase in the as
sessed value of the lands, of this section, of more
than seventeen millions of dollars, or nearly 80
per cent, in twelve years, is well calculated
to startle the croakers and to cause the compi-
lers OF statistics to commence figuring anew
This assessment, gratifying as the result must
be considered, falls far short of the actual value
of the lands; and their true increase in value.
cannot be rated at less than thirty millions of
dollars
1t is very difficult to estimate the intrinsic va
lue ofland, and | would recommend to those
who have taste for such Investigations, the
perusal of a most remarkable essay of Dr.
Black of Delaware published in an early vo-
lume of the old American Farmer in which the
subject is treated with singular clearness and
force. He maintains that land, being perma-
nent investment, is intrinsically worth that sum
the annual interest of which it will continue to
pay in all time, after deducting all the expen-
SEES of manuring and cultivation Taking this
principle as correct, which seems to be founded
in right reason, the assessment of many of our
farms is much too low. The farm on which
reside, for example, which a few years ago cost
81 per acre, was assessed, | believe, at So; yet
it yielded, the last year, Ito say nothing of the
profits necessarily arising from farm,
on which large family resides,) a clear profit
IN cash, after deducting all expenses of cultiva-
ton and manures, of 6 per cent. on $50 per
acre. And have no doubt, that under the sys-
tenn now pursued, this profit will not only con-
tinue, but be largely increased, in future years.
Nor is this isolated case. Many of my
neighbors, upon similar lands, made crops quite
as good, and others much better than NINE
There was time, Mr.. President, when we
Of the East feared the competition of the West,
and all schemes internalimprovement were in
opposed, with ealquite sincere,
but, perhaps, not always according to knowledge.
That time is past. We will now endeavor wisely
what we have not been able to counterfeit
Press on, therefore, with vigorous but prudent
zeal, your great works of improvements reach
the Tennessee line; tap the Ohio, at as many
points as you please, and pour down upon the
markets of the East, the rich product of your
teeming valleys and grass clad hills. We in
vite you to free and generous competition
Nay, more; connect your improvements with
kindred works, in other States, until they reach
the heart of the great West and let her vast
store houses be emptied upon the ocean. Yet
we shall not be appalled, Confident in our own
Ass1rces, we feel assured we shall be driven
p PROM no 3.ss IN which others ca" sell with
Zach section has its peculiar advantages; but
survey this glorious Commonwealth in all its
ength and breadth, and tell me, in what is it
Inferior to any of the States of this Union =
In n race of brave mon, and fair women, none
claim superiority.
1t is not mine to speak of her inexhaustible
mineral resources Of her unfailing water power
We have seen that in the production of the
most important of the cereals, she SURPRISES
hem all. Her tobacco finds market in every
quarter of the world, where the tweed" has a
7otaly. Her Indian corn is not surpassed, ex-
,ept in that fabulous grain growing region,
where the half bushel is discarded, and the only
measure is an exuberant imagination. Her
horses are equal to the English and superior to
he Arab. Hers are ''the cattle on a thousand
lils.'. Her wool exceeds in fineness that of
Spain or Silesia; and her hocks need only legis-
alive protection from pestilent ours, to compare
II numbers with the leaves, that in autumn
trew her valleys.
These remarks are made in no boastful spirit.
Dur people have been discouraged. desire to
)anish their discomfort. And, indeed, we have
'een so long deceived by others, that l think it
nigh time, we were standing up for ourselves.
We have in truth, Mr.. President, s'a goodly
leritage," and are false to ourselves, and unwor-
ny of the fame of our noble ancestors, if we
ack the energy to improve, or the courage to
defend it.
Another prominent cause of the failure of
Ill concerted efforts for the improvement of ag
iculture in Virginia, may be traced to an erro-
1eous opinion, extensively prevailing, as to the
character and value of our agricultural labor
Originating at very early day, (perhaps with
Mr.. Jefferson, who, however wise as a states
nan, was not remarkable for the depth of his
or the soundness of his practical
j
doctrine was taught by philosophers, statesmen
md political economists, that slave labor was
'uinously expensive and unproductive to its own
ers, and wherever employed, carried barrenness
md desoation in its train.
Whatever evils we endured, whether arising
rom natural defect in our Soils which no labor
could correct but for which modern science has
ound remedy, or from low prices consequent
upon arrangement of the currency, or gene
al peace in Europe, were attributed to this
fruitful source of all our woes. And when, to
hese causes of discomfort, was added the I'M
fortunate disturbance in Southampton not COM
parable in its extent violence, to an emeute in
Paris, OF theatre mob in New York, or fire.
mans riot in Philadelphia, panic seized the
public mind, and madness ruled the hour. The
whole vocabulary of epithets was exhausted in
of the hated Institution land the most
striking pictures of the decadence of Virginia,
which heated Imagination could paint, We're
profusely scattered through the land. Men OF