Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-11

twenty-five and thirty bushels per acre, are
no uncommon ''turn-out' from iallow. And
rye, although it's cultivation for few years
past has been almost discarded, yields album
dainty. The use of plaster has, doubtless,
done much towards the improvement of this
region. Some experiments have been made
with guano, but | think with less profitable
results than have attended its use in more
Eastern Virginia. Its effect although mark
ed. think. are not sufficiently 50 10 Justify
I its use. ut least upon the better portions Of
these lands. This region abounds in mine
raj springs of almost every variety Of medl-
rinal water, and. without doubt, inhabited
bv the most prolific race extant. II is moth
ING uncommon to see from fourteen 10 TWEEN
" healthy children i'll family, and parents
scarcely having passed the meridian of life.
Such a thing a. barrennpSs is almost uu-
known in this section of country.
In taking leave of this part of my subject.
am happy to be able 10 add. that one group
of those valuable medicinal springs. located
in the generous soil Vi Warren. i'll full view
of the beautiful Blue Ridge. and near enough
to he famed by its delightful and invigora-
ting breezes, and in close proximity to the
neat and hourishing town of Front-Royal,
has already been handsomely fitted up for the
reception Of visitors, and is rapidly becom-
iny Il lavurite resort alike for the invalid
and the pleasure seeker; and there Is Ii"
doubt each of them my he benefited by So
inurn 1T these delightful springs. The
northern slopes OF the ridge are most plent!-
fully supplied with springs, alternating with
freestone, limestone, and sui phur. But these
L. in ell
failing. Indeed. doubt whether, within the
broad limits Of our glorious Union. there Is IL
region to be found 80 well supplied with
springs whose heathful waters are rs con
genial to the taste of man. Many of them
have their fountains upon the very top of
the mountain. but they soon find Il channel
through its gorges 10 the valleys below,
where uniting with kindred current, they be-
come entitled to the more dignitied appella-
ton of creek and river, and are soon min
rled with the waters of the Shenandoah and
Potomac.
One of these springs, on the very summit
of the ridge, some four miles west Of Ashby's
gop. deserves Il special notice. Ii IL, by way
Of distinction. called Rock Spring" very
appropriate cugnomen. for its full sllvery
current AN inch and half i'll diameter)
forcing its way through ponderous mass OF
granite rock. and when the mercury has run
up to ." degrees is cool and grateful To the
.t, IN as though it had bounded fresh
from region Of Ice. | never look upon this
full current gushing from its granite bed but
am reminded of that wonderful exhibition
of the divine power to the Israelites. Ms under
the guidance of Moses they sojourned through
the wilderness
ole sInote the rock and the waters gu1hed forth
From many points on this part of the Blue
Ridge we have most interesting views OF u
large portion Of the valley of Virginia on
the one side and of that fertile, beautiful, and
picturesque country lying in the counties OF
Loudoun and Fauquier, on the other. The
view continues until the eye is lost amid
the hazes surrounding the distant hills OF
Maryland. And at this gay and hope IN
spring Season-if one may be allowed to
indulge his imagination he might readily
conclude that the tabled Ceres had visited
these proud old hills; and under her auspi-
ces, charge, and influence, life and beauty
and truitfulness We're spreading sweet charms
all around him.
'Iis June-sweet June-and sun mole bright
Ne'er threw n ray OF purer light
On glen OF fountain;
Nor classic Helicon. | ween,
Fer stood amid fairer
Than tn old Blue Mountain
Yours, in haste, NICHOLAS SPlcsR.