The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-09
TIIE NEW ERA. NOVEMBER s. 1865.

the adjoining counties, yielding pro-
duct that commands fine price, for its
excellent flavor. In one instance last
season y acres, with Indifferent culture,
brought $4,000. When such results can
be attained with so little labor, on lands
which average but Il few dollars per
acre, it should not be said that the soil
here is lnproductiveo or farming unprofit-
able. Fruit is usually abundant. Good
peach crops have been enjoyed for a sue
cesslon OF years past. The fruit is often
sold at % cents per bushel.
In evidence Of the adaptation of this
soil to tobacco, a statement of IA CORES
pOndent may be referred to relative to
the crop Of a neighbor, Martin w. Kidd,
OF this county. The land was in forest,
and cost to clear twenty acres and culti-
waite the crop 81 100, and S153 more to
get it to market. Though he lost con-
siderable of it for the want of sheds suf-
ficient to cure it properly, he sold 1880
pounds for s2,67I. This gave a profit of
81, 42l, or 81 05 per acre-amply suffi-
Gent to buy Il large farm of unimproved
land.
BraXton county is more nearly than
any other the geographical centre of the
State. It is intersected by Elk, Little
kanaWha, and Holly rivers, and Bird
creek. 1t is we'll watered and FERTILE
Little more than an eighth of the farm
lands are improved. Average assessed
valuation, 81 %. This is very low in
comparison with their intrinsic Value
1T is midway between Clarksburg and
Charleston, and on the line of the pro-
posed central railroad route. Sutton is
the county seat.
Webster county, drained by the head
waters of the Ell and Gauley rivers, is
u new county, with resources very little
developed and lands cheap-averaging
81 81 per acre.
Nicholas, upon the south, intersected
by the Gauley, has promising FUTURE
1t contains ,460, 22S acres of farm lands,
of which but 81 ,941 are improved aver
age valuation, 50 81 per acre. 1t has
clear, running streams, filled with the
speckled trout, and fine forest pastures
and grassy glades. Though only two
and a half per cent. of its farm lands are
| improved, its live stock is valued at
1884 500, its flocks of sheep numbering
1908; and while it lies well up towards
the mountains, there is required for the
winter support of 20,536 farm animals
but 2,O35 tons ofAay. Winters cannot
be very severe if 100 pounds of hay will
snffice for each animal.
j Clay county lies south of Braxton, up
on the Elk river. 1t is small county,
with but 5,565 acres of improved land.
Its location is eligible, and much of its
land productive.
STATISTICS OF PRODUCTIONS
\ statement Of the farm products of
West Virginia will not indicate an ex-
traordinary production in proportion to
population, nor will it show so meagre
result as most people i'll other States
would have predicted. In view of the
fact that Il large element of the popula-
ton has been that of the forerunner OF
civilization, the pioneer, who desires
wide range of forest for game, and is
content 10 lead primitive life, know
| ing few wants and those easily supplied,
these figures prove incontestably Il fer
! tile soil.
! Il statement Of the farm products, .ec., al
Hest Virginia, complied from the cen
s'ts returns for 1860, by permission of
| Commissioner Kennedy.
Acres of improved land, 2,346, 1871
Acres Of unimproved land, $500, PSI
| Cash value of farms, SS7, J25, 0S7
Value of farming implements
and machinery, 81, 973, 15S
Horses, S5,S62
Asses and mules, 1874
Mich cows, lO0,l54
Working oxen, 1856
Other cattle, 1871, 239
Sheep, 453, 1874
Swine, 327, PA
Value OF live stock, Sl2,3S2, $50
Bushels of wheat, 1902, 567
Bushels ofrye, II ,263
Bushels OF Indian corn, 1885, 47
Bushels OF oats, 1.649, O90
Pounds Of rice, 1,163
Pounds of tobacco, 2,Is0,316
Balesofgin' dcotton, 40Olbs. each, 1875
Pounds of wool, 1913, 1853
| Bushels peas and beans, 81 1882
Bushels of Irish potatoes, 746,6OG
| Bushels of sweet potatoes, 6S,OSl
| Bushels of barley, 6O,36S
| Bushels of buchwheat, 342,51S
! Value OF orchard products, s234, 273
Gallons Of wine, 1888
Value of produce Of market
gardens, $44, 299
Pounds of butter, 4,76O,779