The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-03-13
ORANGE CoUNTYAND ITS ATTRACTIONS,
NO. 8.


view of the County of Orange and con-
sidered what, in my humble opinion. is
requisite to develop, Its rich resources,
l shallnow briefly describe more par
ticularly the advantages of the several
sections before referred to.
That portion lying between the Red
Lands and the Rapidan river, embrac-
ing the valley of Blue Run and the PEN
insula formed by the two streams, is
perhaps the most attractive part of the
County lit is traverscd by three lead
ing highvays-the plank road from
Somerset to the Court House and two
McAdamized roads, oae from New Mar
ket through its centre, the other from
Harrisonburg through its Western ex-
tremity, converglng and uniting at
G.ordonsville--affording at all seasons
easy access to market.
The scenery of this highly favored
district is beautifully picturesque. The
grand range of Che Blue Ridge noun
tains, looming mp in majestic grandeur
is seen from every point of Il on one
side. and in the back ground the high
undulating surface of the red land
slopes, add charm and variety rarely
exeelled. rl.
The soil is composed of dark choco-
late friable loam--of great fertility and
susceptible of high degree of improve
ment. 1t yields bountifully corn,
wheat, oats and tobacco, and the cui-
tivated grasses, clover, timothy and or
chard grass, and the indigenous white
clover and blue grass flourish luxuri-
antly and demonstrate its adaptation to
grazing and dairy purposes. Its Tobac-
co is of fine texture and if skilfully
managed and manipulated to suit the
taste of the Trade, may be male to
rival the esteemed qualities ofthe more
Southern sections of the State. The
remarkable cleanness of these lands,
being unincumbered by surface stone
aad exempt from noxious shrnbbery,
impait to them additional value, both
from the small amount of labor required
and the ease with which they might be
titled. IS. ,, ~ 81 o
In the centre of this beautiful region,
on its most commanding elevation, af-
fording magnificent view Of the sur
rounding country for many miles, is
Somerset, the elegant and commodiohs
residence of E. Goss Esq. His estate is
one of the largest in this portion of
Piedmont Virginia-andh his energy and
enterprise have made it one of the most
valuable ald desirable. A prominent
feature of his enterprise and industry
is his extensive orchards, now coming
into full bearing and yielding their rich
stores of the choicest varieties of dclic-
ious fruit. A pioneer in this laudable
enterprise, his example will be followed
by others, whose soil and circumstances
afford equal guarantees of success. At
little distance from the base of this
eminenee, in the plain beneath, is the
village of Somerset, pleasantly situa-
ted, having, in addition toa few private
dwellings, "a. Church, two Stores,a Flour
ing Mill and the work shop of Mr.. A.
Z. Routt, now becoming celebrated for
the valuable Agricultural Implements
which it distributes to distant parts of
the State and even beyond its limits. =
The farms are large, ranging from 900
to 1000 acres and more, and could be
rendered vastly more remunerative by
b-division. The sound Judgment and
clear foresight ofC. j, Stoyen, Esq. i'm
pressed by the conviction of the ineffi-
cheney of the present labor system
have induced him to divide his fine es-
tate into compact farms, which already
in the hands of an intelligent tenantry
will increase in value while their pro-
ductions are multiplied.
The same description of undula.ing
lands extends many miles below Som
erset, while short distance above, the
broad rich river bottoms became the
chief object of attraction. In the ada
cent hills, on the fine lands of the
Messrs. Brooking, are found extensive
quarries of the finest granite, unappro-
priated, as yet, to useful purposes.
In the vicinity of Somerset, border
ing upon and adjacent TO public high
ways are the beautiful and desirable
lands of Messrs. II. H. and j. F. New
man, portions of which, in compact
farms varying from loo to 200 acres with
eligible sites for building, present
tempting inducements to those desir-
GUS of home in this attractive sec
| ton. raa Efe G. ..
The lands ad,iacent to the village of
Barboursville in the Western part of
this district, are scarcely Inferior in at
traction to those described. The
scenery is beautifltl-the soil gerial,
easy of cultivation and highly .improva-
BILE. Near.the village. is the stately
mansion of the late Gov. James Bar
bour, now the residence of his son, B.
j. Barbour Esq. The estate is very
large, and in addition to its ordinary
productions, large flock of Merino's
has been introduced with reasonable
prospects of success. Near by and adj
joining, is the large and well managed
estate of j. B, Newman Esq. upon
which, sheep husbandry has also be-
come part of the farm economy. The
fine mineral spring (sulpliurl in this
vicinity, might be made attractive as a
| snmmer RESORT and at the same timn