The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-02-21
ORANGE COUNTY.
It's Soil, Climate, Scenery, Society and Other At
fractions No l.

The interest, Mr.. Editor, you mani
fest in the prosperity and happiness of
those whom, you have recently made
your neighbors and friends, invites me
to ask your aid in bringing before the
public, as wei as our own citizens,
some of the peculiar advantages which,
attach to this portion ofPiedmont Vir-
ginia. | propose offering you some re-
Elections on this subject, seeing that
our people seem not to realize the res
possibilities OF their present position.
Their energies seem relaxed-their en-
terprise paralyzed. The subversion of
their labor system and change OF rela-
tions civil, social and political, was a
severe shock. The loss of property and
means consequent thereon, and de-
rangement Of all the business relations
of life, seem to have greatly depressed,
instead of arousing them to nobler ex-
ertions-In their dependency, they
forget or overlook the many advantages
they yet retain, and sadly neglect the
proper means of restoring their wasted
fortunes. Is this maply?-is it patri-
otto to fold our arms in apathy, and
mourn over the miseries of our situa-
tion-whether real or imaginary-when
SO many Inducements, nay necessities,
impel us to action Courage, patriot.
ism, an approving conscience, natural
ailection-all, demand of us calmly to
survey our position, and resolutely to
rescue ourselves from the slough of
dependency, to rise higher and high
er in the scale of manhood, and as Vir-
gipia men, to act worthy OF our race,
and to improve TO the uttermost, the
talents contided to us, and trust to
Providence the result of our efforts.
In the broad limits of this proud Old
Commonwealth, where is land to be
found more favored with the bounteous
gifts of nature than this, Land we love
the County of Orange ?-Unsurpassed
in the original fertility ofits soil, or the
ease and rapidity of its restoration,
when wasted by Injudieious culture. no
section of the State presents SO inviting
a prospect to the enterprising or to the
amateur farmer. Its name is derived
from the complexion ofits soil which, is
impaired to it by the disintegration of
its sub-stratum soft of ochre cOlored rock
which, underlies all the Red Land DIS /
trict, and which, according to Prof. W.
b. Rodgers, having a strong affinity for
ammonia, is readily converted into soil
by exposure to atmospheric influences.
Hence the speedy restoration and high
degree of fertility of which this discrip-
ton of land is susceptible. That por-
ton of the county lying north West of
the Red land and sloping to the River,
is more leyel-the soil less tenacious
and composed of disintegrated choco-
late shale-easily cultivated and highly
productive. The Eastern Section,
whose streams are mostly tributary to
the Pamunky, as those of the middle
and Western are to the Rapidan, en-
braces many large and fertile districts.
The Gold mines OF this section were,
some years since, worked with profit
and now present tempting Investment
to capitalists-Iron ore is found imme-
diately on the line of the o. tS. A. II.
Road, but to what extent and of what
value, has never been developed. In
the Immediate vicinity also, Limestone
of excellent quality and of easy access.
exists il great abundance. Its appli-
cation to the adjacent grey lands, as
renovator of the soil has never been
fairly tested.
In diversity of soil and variety ofpro-
duction, the County of Orange is ex-
celled by no district in this or amy 9TH
er State. From its first settlement to
comparatively recent period, Tobacco
was its staple; and may be grown as
successfully now and with profit. Its
soil is admirably adapted to all the &C.
reals and is unsurpassed In the produc-
tion of corn, except perhaps, by alluvi-
al bottoms. The opinion once prevailed,
tho only among the followers of pres
criptive usage, that it was not adapted
tc grass, and consequently could never
become successful grazing district
experience, however, has long since ex-
ploded this idea and ten years since,
grazing was the most popular and re-
munerative butiness on all improved
forms. Ifnot "the Paradise of Cattle"
Orange Beef has compared most favora-
bly, with the best specimens of the mar
kets, and it's mutton and butter have
been unriyalcd. Since attention has
been directed to the production of fruit,
eminent success has crowned every well
directed effort, and the choicest varieties
are to be found in our own and North
ern markets-the produce of our Or
chards. The cherry IN all its varieties,
may be SAID to be indigenous and -FOUR
ishes in wasteful abundance. The
peach attains the highest perfection
under skilful attention, as do all the
varieties ofthe pear. The Grape grows
spontaneously in the forests and fence
corners, and the native and improved
varieties are successfully cultivated
The skill and experience ofthe profess
ional vintager would fad here advan-
tages in soil, locality and climate that
would compare most faVorably with the
most favored districts. l need hardly
advert to Horticultural products
the endless variety of these found in
every kitchen garden and on every
table, sufficiently testify to the virtues
of the soil. Those valuable esculents-
the Irish and Sweet potato-the former
combining in itself the meat and and
bread of the poor in the North and the
latter like office in the South, are sue
cessfully and abundantly raised-the
one In great perfection, the other infer
ior to that on sandy soils, yet excellent
and ample for culinary purposes.
The health Of the County is illustra-
ted by She Longevity of its men and the
beauty and bloom of its women. In
termittent and bilious fevers are ofrare
occurrence, and when they do exist,
are to be traced to local causes-copi-
Gus and perennial springs of the purest
freestone water abound in every diree-
tion--supplying running streams in
every enclosure and often eligible sites
for milling and manufacturing pur-
poses.
Intersected by two of the leading Rail
Roads of the State-the o. & AleXan-
dria and Va. Central-the former ira
versing its territory obliquely for many
miles, its facility for mar 6eting its pro-
ducts are unequaled, being within a
few hours of Lynchburg, Richmond,
Alexandria, Washington and Baltimore
The general surface is boldly undula-
ting-some.imes, with elevations aspir-
ing to the dignity of mountains. Its
out being rugged-presenting from its
elevations magnificent panorama and