The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-05-08
THE ATTRACTIONS OF ORANGE.
OR.Nar Corvry. Nav 9Th 1863

ORANGE CoUSrY. May 5th, 1868.
70 THE EDITOR OF The NATIVE VR-
G1NIAN:-Your correspondent, "Agrl-
cola,' in his interesting communication
upon Orange and its attractions omit
ted to mention, nnwittingly no doubt,
some of the most valuable, attractive
and Interesting farms in our highly fa=
vored county; of course he could not be
expected to mention every place in the
county, but there are several OF such
rare, inherent value, that hope YOU
will pardon me for calling some of them
to the attention of the readers of your
valuable paper. Leaving the red land
mile or Two to the East of the County
seat, we find the residence of Mr.. Il.
Taylor, situated in the Limestone val
ley in which the "Grant' lands of the
Messrs. Scott and Cowherd lie; and al
though the lands of the latter are i'm q
more thorough state of tillage, yet in
general character of soil this farm bears
close resemblance to the "crown
grant" lands, veins ofslate of fine quail
ity and of iron ore run through this
tarm; and will doubtless at some future
day be a source of infinite revenue to
the proprietor. In addition there is a
famous "tuhite-dirt-hole" upon this es-
tate. of which the neighbors for years
have had tile free lfse in embellishing
their hearths and flre-places, and we
should sot be surprised If at no distant
day, this "white dirt" should be dis
covered to be fine quality of kaolin.
Next in this direction we find the es-
| tate of the late Joseph Atkins, noted
far its valuable meadow lands and for
the fertility of its gentle undulating
nj. 70, Il
| course of the old Orange Jockey club,
and has been the scene of many gall
! liant contest for lIandicup and PURSE
| The present proprietor IS making giant
strides in improving this place and
| doubtless, like the presentowner OF the
"Retreat," IS oppressed with the weight
of gratitude to the fine managers of this
estate who preceded him.
A little further down into the grey
| lands we find the valuable estate OF DR..
| T.. Il. johnson upon which there is a
fine grist and saw mill, one of she finest
orchards in the country, and where that
most valuable earth "Baryses" is found
in large quantities. This farm pro-
duecs as fine tobacco as is grown in any
of the Southside counties, and is man
aged now, as heretofore, with the same
view to Improvement which has always
| characterised it. Great attention is
| paid upon this estate to the raising, the
most choice varieties Of fowls, and his
| large flocks of Sumatra games, 10 uen
ducks and wild geese reflect infinite
credit upon the owner. Turning to the
| North few miles, we find the magniti-
| cent estate of Mr.. +. Jcrdone, famous
for its picturesque mountain, its fine
grass lands and remunerative lime
kilns. The fine turnpike road, now
slightly out of order, from Orange c..
III. to Fredericksburg passes through
the centre of this estate, and forms one
| Ofits Chi f attractions, as furnishing a
most delightful drive. Passing into the
red lands, we fine Immediately on the
| Q. 81 A. Il. X. and half way between
the Court House and the Rapidan river.
| the beautiful and tasteful residence of
Captain w. p. Cave. This farm is UNI
der high and enlightened cultivation,
Astounding in the finest chestnut groves,
and exhibits neat an orderly appear
ance, the proprietor having the past
season successfully demonstrated the
praeticability of moving all of his sas-
safras bushes with Nice ormick's now
er. Adjoining this latter estate is that
| of Mr.. Lipscomb and also that of Mr..
Barley. The former has a fine stream
ofwater flowing through it, upon which
there is most desirable mill-seat, and
rs | hear the owner design, putting a
mill upon this property, he will have
an admirable opportunity of disposing
of the numerous boulders in which it is
extremely prolific. The farm of Mr..
BARLEY Is not SO we'll known to me,
but in my more youthful days, consist
ed Of the finest hunting grounds in this
whole vicinity; cartridges, wild turkeys
and rabbits Astounding to any extent in
its wide spread sassafras groves. In my
next, L will give you some account of
other valuable estates not mentioned
by "Agricola" or ARATOR.