Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-03-26


M authors and rejected cannot returned
VIRGINIA as a Field for Investment
and immigration.
The last monthly february report of the
Denartment of Agriculture is chiefly occupied
with special statistics of farm resources and
nroducts" of the States of Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
FIorda, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas.
W. on)y have the space to notice some OF Its
references to Virginia The decrease 10 the val
ue ofland since 1860, in two-thirds ofthe coun.
ties, IS estimated as ranging from ten to sixty
ner cent, and as averaging thirty five per cent.
The average decrease for the entire State IS
nlaced at twenty seven per cent. AS compar-
ed with New York the result is as follows: -
Property worth 500 In 1860 IS now valued at
s73in Virginia and $l28 in New York, The
report says that while many who are able to
hold their land, and many who are not, refuse
to sell at less than former prices, there arc yet
thousands of farms or uncultivated tracts OF
land that can now be bought tor less than their
intrinsic worth, and there are opportunities
at forced sales, or under stress OF Immediate
want to obtain valuable property tor trl-
fling consideration. 1t Is suggested that
more frequent sales, at even apparent sac
1i6ces, would be better for the people, as they
would bring money and settlers and enhance
the value of neighboriug lands. The want OF
labor, lack of capital, the large amount OF land
in market, the statutes conhning interest to SIX
per cent, the stay law, and delay in reconstruc
ton, are assigned as the causes of the depreci-
alton of real estate An advance in price is
noticed in some counties Tracts in original
forest or thrown out of cultivation, and COW
cred with new forest growths. in certain coun-
ties, are thus priced: In Patrick and other
southwestern counties 81; in Carroll 50 cents;
10 Nelson 25 cents; in Botetourt 81 to So; in
Tazewen s.. SO; in Highland $2.75; in Clarke
S. to Sc: in Washington 50 to So in Bucklng-
ham So to s.; in King George 81 to $40; in
Stafford, King William, Norfolk and Craig
S.. 10 York and Middlesex SC; in Lancaster
S. to S25; in Smytbe SO to $25. La the
tide-water counties prices are represented as
ranging for the same kind Of land, (wildl except
on nayipable water, when the value depends
on the amount of wood and timber, from S. to
SIS, and sometimes reaching $50. 1t is stated
that in Montgomery county coal lands tour
miles from the railroad, can be bought tor
from S3 to SIS per acre, and ten miles from the
railroad for 81 to So dollars. In Wythe county
wild lands, except 10 the neighborhood OF iron
works, are represented almost valueless, While
in Tazewel county there are thousands OF acres
at lower prices than government lands. Much
of this land in the counties last named IS eX-
cellent for tobacco, grapes and 1rult. LANDS
are mentioned in King William. on the "a
munky and Mattaponi as subject to over W,
flow which are obtainable at S. per acre. The
report says: AS the greater: portion OF tn t9ls
land is alluvial rich loamy soil, its capabilities
would be yery great if made available by dykes
and canals, which would be easily practicable "
The wild lands of the Blue Ridge are procura-
BILE at from one-forth to one half the price of
improved lands and are exceedingly desirable
from their climate, soil and market facilities.
Of wild lands in Amelia "held at a nominal
price," it is said, their capabilities tor improve
ment are excellent, and at small cost they
might be made to produce corn, wheat, oats
and tobacco. Reference is made In this report
to the vast coal and mineral deposits In the
State and to Northern companies that have
purchased such lands, and are engaged IN prep
arations for manufacturing on a large scale:
The advantages possessed by certain portions OF
Virginia for grazing stock raising, cheese
making, &C., are touched upon. 1t is stated
that every country, without exception is
adapted to the production ''of nearly all kinds
of fruit known in the temperate zone.. Apples,
pears, cherries, peaches, plums, aprlcots, and
small fruits of all sorts grow we'll in nearly all
parts of the State" The report says: "Eml-
nent pomoogists are persuaded that the Blue
Ridge, from Virginia SOUTH is the region tor
wine production east of the Alleghanies. Al
lusion is made to vineyard, NEAR the sum-
nit of the Blue Ridge, which produced last sea-
SOD six thousand gallons of wine and four thou
sand gallons of brandy; as also to farmer, IN
another locality, who, from the wild grapes,
picked from his own acres, made seven thou
sand gallons of brandy during one OF the years
of the late war. ~.
This report thus concludes Eastern Vir-
ginia. offers superior Inducements TOR frult
growing, not only in soil and climate, put par
ticuarly in facilities for freighting to Northern
markets by water. Numerous instances OF
profit might be noted. A lady near Norfolk
received ten thousand dollars last season from
thirty acres of pears. A gentleman IN the
same locality sold apples from an orchard OF
eighteen acres for three thousand dollars; and,
in Princess Anne county, and orchard, set out
three years, Welded four hundred and tour
dollars Northern fruit growers have already
commenced operations upon these promising
fruit lands in different sections or the State.
Surely such statements as to the varied ad-
vantages of Virginia lands, taken from an
official document issued from one OF the de-
partments of the Government, ought to be suit
hcient to attract the attention OF Northern cap1-
talists seeking fields for investment, Northern
farmers, miners, fruit and vegetable raisers,
Wine makers, stock raisers, cheese and butter
makers &c., &C., and the foreign or Northern
Immigrant who Is in quest Of home tor him
self and family.-Richn,ond Wing.
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SAMUEL Fl. JANNEY. MAHLON e. JANNEY
TANNEY g. 90