Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-08-02
The Upper Country.

A recent visit through that portion OF Fir-
ginia bordering on the Orange and Alexan-
dria, and Manassas Gap Railroads, and skirt
ing the Blue Ridge, has thoroughly convinced
US of the very large deficiency which must in-
evitably occur in this years yield Of wheat
Reliable information from the Valley, and
personal knowledge of the numerous lnJu'
ries Inflicted upon the wheat crop in the tide
water section, had prepared US for great
falling off in the product OF this season-but
when this is coujoined with the total failure
of the crop in the PIedmuntese and sub
montsne districts, We are forced to the con-
cluson that not more than one third OF that
yield will be attained, which the prospects of
the spring SO abundautly promised. Nor
are we unsustained in such an inference, for
we find ourselves uph,ld in this opinion by
the concurrent testimony of the entire farm
,ng community and the candid portion OF the
mercantile.
Indeed the high price with which the mar
ket opened, and the discouraglng develop
ments of the thresbog machine, establish
the f!ct, beyond successful controversy, that
the wheat crop OF Virginia is an egreyious
failure. The corn crop from Alexandria 10
Gordonsville is remarkably fne, having been
much improved by the recent rains, but Is
not yet suti ;lently matured to be tree from
serious danger III August.
| Perhaps no public improvement ID this
State eau outstrlp the Orange aud Alexan'
dria Railroad la point Ut local advantages OF
mechanical excellence. 1t has no superior
IL grades, superstructure and ballast, while
all Of It's locomotive means are unsurpassed
10 their durability, ease, and speed. Tho
/ section Of country 10 which 1t is located Is
most beautiful and fertile Before the con-
structou of this Road, the value and fertill-
ty OF these lands, especially IN Cupeper and
! Orange, was almost unknown, AT least 10 an
available and practical sense, because OF the
extremely mesgre facilities to market. Now.
the value of these lands is treb!ed, while
the increased care in their culture is evinced
by the largely augmented amount OF pro-
duce which they yearly pour into Alexan-
dria. All along the road ct the several sta
| tons, are neat, busy settlements, whose air
of comfort and thrift, tell Of the progressive
spirit which the Rad has Infused along its
route.
As means for investment it is beginning
to offer tempting Inducements, which year
Or two will greatly enlarge If not fully rea-
lie. Like all works Of improvement, it met
with numerous difficulties and incurred large
debts, in its iIst effort at success. The re-
suits which have already arisen FROM It's
com pletion to Gordonsvile have acted like
magical arguments to secure its extension TO
Lynchburg, which will be finished by next
July, thus perteoting the continuous chain Of
Railroads from New York to New Orleans.
Already a great deal of through travel Is
seeking this route, and when made a link in
the great thorOughIale from North to South,
the profits must be enormous. The par
value of stock is $50, now selling in tue
market for so, which opens a most faVora-
bic opportunity for paying investment, as
the income of the road ~ so plainly to be
largely increased Much of the credit for
the success of this road is due to the energy
and perseverance, of tho President, John 5
Barbour, esq, who will yet have the salts
faction Of seeing his road standing in the
front rank Of the internal Improvements and
financial corporations Of this State.-Jred.
! Recorder