The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-10-25
Resources of the Country.

How grand a career Of ma.erial: and
social prosperity opens up before the
people Of this county may be dimlgiiu
ferrcd from late developments Of the az.
ricultural and minsrul resources Of the
State. Dr.. Z. n. Grant, the State Geo['
ogist Of virgiuis, has recently been
making explorations in that State, and
reports that he has found mines Of gold,
silver, copper, lead, ,szinc, tin, iroh, plum.
bago, manganese, coal, slate.' pottot:s
porceluiP al ID FIRE clay, hydraulic cet1cnt,
fuller'A carth, limestone, grindstone,
whetstono, emery. marble, gypsum, SALT
mari, 'soap,tone, sulphur, granite' &C.,
10 various directions.
Very important mineral developments
have lately been made in North Carroll
ma, and it is claimed that the petroleum
producing districts Of Tennessee will yet
rival those Of any part Of the country
An evidence Of the wonderful increase
ia the way Of agricultural pcoaucts which
has sicnalizcd some of the States, may
be cited in the case Of Iowa, which 10
cord production increased from less than
one and half million bushels to more
than forty.one million bushels, between
the years 1910 apd 1860. This remark
able fact has caused special comment
in the Agricultural Report prepared by
the Department Of the Interior. .
A close examination Of the report will
show that in the production of'Wheat,
rye, barley and other farming staples,
tho same astonishing figures arc con.
stantly attcsting the wonderful growth OF
our populatioon.with the attendant dcvcl.
opment of our soil. The growth Of the
West and the increase Of its pro- ducts is
illustrated by the shipments tof grain
from single city. In 1885 the total e1'
por. of wheat from Chicago was seventy
eight bushels. In. 1868 it was nearly
eighteen million bushels. The value Of
live stock ip the New England States
between the years 1850 and 1860, in
creased thirty>six per cent. 10 the Mid
die States, the increase was fifty. two per
cont. lathe Western States, it was ono
hundred and forty.thrce per cent, aud
in the Southern States it was eighty six
Der cent. A communication by ES. Gov.
eruor Downcy, showing the condition OF
agricultural industry in California;
makes the following statement: From
a few thousand coarse.wooled and lnte'
trior Mexican sheep, our focks will now
number three million ofimprovcd stock
yielding this year clip oppro1imatlne
to 100000 pounds, and at the close
Of the present decade, it will not be un
reasonable to expect that California vii
produce an amount equal to the entire
product of this staple 10 the Unitct
States in lSGO-say 60, 900 pounds.
Now that We have met and fairly over
come the only real danger, tho: Of dis
union, With has ever threatened US, wc
may proceed with renewed yigor and
hope to tho expansion ofour civilization
with all its rich fruits over regions yel
hnSc1cd by the plough or harrow. and
We may quiutuplc the resources OF lands
tha. are now but partially cultivated
We can have no grauder field for the
best faculties Of mind and body, than
the glorious continent it is our privilege
to occupy. For at least the remaining
portion of this century, We should avoid
IS much as possible all complications
with foreign politics, and devote, our,
selves steadily to the Developments Of
our agriculture, minerals, commerce and
trade. In applying mechanical iuven'
ton to the incrcase of our capacity tor
production. in opening new avenues OF
transportation for products. in wisely
fostering and sustaining our nanufac'
turing establishments, and in digostiug
and putting into operation sound sys'
tenn Of 6uancc, NO will have abundant
opportunities and scope for the highest
energy and thought Of our people, and
VIC can superadd to these great matters
of material enterprise, the promotion Of
practical legislation, schools, churches
and charitable and scientific institutions
The vista before US is bright and e1pan'
sixo. Let US not fall short ofits obliGa'
tions.