Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-02-19

is now.
This land viii produce from so to Is bushels
of corn per acre with less than half the labo
required in Virginia, and corn is now selling a
$3.50 per bushel, and the planters find it more
profitable to pay that and raise cotton than tC
raise their own corn. Most Of the corn used ir
this section comes from New Orleans, but al
any great distance from the railroad, they have
to raise their own.
This country produces the finest sweet pota-
toes in the world, and will make from 200 to
300 bushels to the acre. Irish potatoes grow
equally well, and both are now selling at from
Is cents to $l.00 per bushel All kinds of veg
etables flourish here, as well as nearly all kinds
OF fruits, including many of the tropical Ap-
pies do not do well in this portion of the State,
owing to the great length and intense heat Of
summer, but In the northern portion they are
said to do well. The peaches cannot be sur
passed anywhere
The demand for labor here is very great, and
the highest wages are being paid Common
field hands are getting from $15 to $40 pei
month, and many planters find it impossible to
get hands enough to attend their farms next
spring and summer. Thousands of freedmen
are being brought from the ''cis- Mississippi -
and many farmers, becoming disgusted with the
negroes, are bringing poor white families from
the same section who were unable to bear their
own expenses, and will get their farms cultiva-
ted in that way. Large numbers are availing
themselves of this opportunity to get away from
their desolated homes.
We saw 300 men, women and children landed
at Navasota few days since from GEORGIA
Mechanics of all kinds do we'll in Texas, es-
pecially carpenters as there are thousands OF
new buildings going up all over the country
They can make from $3 to s. per day and
board, and III some instances more Good pine
lumber costs $40 per thousand at the mills
Texas wants laboring men to develop her re-
sources, and here is the place for them, especial
ly the farmers, to get rich, as they all can pos
sess themselves Of farms of unsurpassed fertili-
ty at very low rates now which will, at no dis
tant day, be very valuable, as the immense
tracts Of land formerly held by the wealthy men
Of this State are now being cut up into small
farms; because they cannot get hands to cult
able to sell their lands and invest their capital
In railroads. factories, &C.
We saw farm few days since containing
1000 acres, 1900 Of which was in cultivation be-
fore the war, and 500 in timber with good bull
dings, dwelling, stables, cribs and quarters for
800 negroes), which can be bought for So per
acre. 1t lies In twelve miles of the Texas Cen
tral Railroad. This property belongs to man
over eighty years OF age and being guilty of the
great san OF beng q bachelor, now has no one to
take charge of his affairs, is compelled to dis
pose of his property to get support. This
land will produce a bale of cotton to the acre,
and if properly attended Of good season would
produce five times enough to pay it While
many planters made fortunes last year, some
lost money, owing to their lands being overhown
in some sections and the crops being injured by
the cotton worm In others; and, while the
planter got rich Oft his cotton crop, many of the
largest merchants were ruined by it.
Those who had small means and sold early
made money, but others who had plenty of cap
ital advanced largely to the planter, held the
cotton, shipped it to Liverpool and drew large
sums on it there. When the sudden decline
came their commission merchants forced it on
the market the owners having largely over
drawn its value--their notes were sent back on
them, and they were compelled to succumb.
The mercantile business, however, is generally
prosperous here, though it is somewhat crowd
ed as it is generally at this time throughout the
South. Competent clerks are getting from $50
to $75 per month and board but vacancies are
hard to find Professions of all kinds are crowd
ed, and quite number of professional men have
been compelled to abandon their professions
and 60 at something else, yet fees are very high,
notwithstanding the great competition. But no
man has an excuse for not doing well here, for
land is so abundant and cheap that all can get
that if they wish.
We would not advise those who are well situ-
ated in the Old State to leave their homes and
come here without first looking at the country
but we do advise those young men who contem-
plated leaving their homes, by all means to
come to Texas before going further, especially
those who think of going to California The
land here is richer and cheaper, the climate is
better, society is better and then 1t is more ac-
cessible. Any one can come from any part of
Virginia to Galveston on from $50 to 800 in
currency, and Texas is destined to be one of the
richest States In the Union sO-cGled.
The winter has been very mild. Christmas
day was so warm that we could scarcely realize
it. The New Year came in with fierce north
er which lasted three or four days, and we saw
some snow flying, lin the northern part Of the
State it covered the ground we learn, which is
very unusual for Texas. Since that time the
weather has been very mild, some days disagree
ably warm, especially during the last, which
contrasts strangely with the telegraphic reports
Of severe snow storms and intense cold III Vir-
ginia and the Northern States, although winter
is the rainy season here, we have had but very
little this winter.
The people arc all busy plowing, making their
gardens, &C. Everything presenting the ap-
pearance of spring. Preparations are being
made for an immense crop of cotton for this
year. The last crop when sold will bring $15,-
100000 in specie into the State, for, mark you,
all is specie here. Truly Cotton IS King.