Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-02-26
Orange County, Va.

OcauS0 SOuneS, va.
Tn the broad limits of this proud Old COM
monvealth, 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 OF its
soil, or the ease and rapidity Of its restoration
when wasted by injudicious culture, no section
Of the State presents so inviting prospect to
the enterprising or to the amateur farmer
It's name is derived from the complexion of its
soil which is impaired to it by the disintegra-
tiop of its sub-stratum soft ochre colored rock
which, underlies all the red land district, and
which, according to Prof. W. B. Rodgers, hay
ing 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 descrlp-
tion Of land is susceptible. That portion of
the county lying North West of the red land
and sloping to the river, is more level-the
soil less tenacious and composed Of disinte
grated chocolate shale-easily cultivated and
Hjphly productive The Eastern section, whose
streams are mostly tributary to the Pamunk ky,
as those of the Middle and Western to the
Rapidan, embraces many large and fertile dis
tricts. The gold mines Of this section were,
some years since, worked with profit and now
present tempting investment to capitalists
iron ore is found Immediately on the line of
the 0. & A. R. Road, but to what extent and
of what value, has never been developed. ln
the immediate vicinity also, limestone OF excel
lent quality and of easy access, exists IN great
abundance. Its application to the adjacent
grew lands, as a renovator OF the soil, has never
been fairly tested.
In diversity OF soil and variety Of production
the county of Orange is excelled by no district
in this or any other State, From its first set
tlement to omparatively recent period, to-
bacco was its staple; and may be grown as
successfully now and with profit. Its soil is
admirably adapted to all the cereals and is un
surpassed in the production OF corn, except
perhaps, by alluvial bottoms. The opinion
once prevailed, though only among the follow
ers Of prescriptiye usage that it was not adapt
ed to grass, and consequently could never be-
come successful grazing district: :--experlence,
however, has long since exploded this idea,
and ten years since, grazing was the most pop,
uIar.and remunerative business on all improved
farms. IF the paradise of cattle, Orange
beef has compared most tavoraby with the
best specimens Of the markets, and Its mutton
and butter have been unrivaled. Since atten-
tion 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 Northern markets
the produce of our orchards. The cherry IN
all its varieties, may be said to be indigenous
and fourishes in wasteful abundance. The
peach attains the highest perfection under
skitul attention, as do all the varieties OF the
pear. The grape grows spontaneously. IN the
forests and fence corners, and the native and
improved varieties are successfully cultivated.
The skill and experience Of the professional
vintager would find here advantages IN soil,
locality and climate that would compare most
favorably with the most favored districts. l
need hardly advert to Horticultu products
the endless variety of these found in every
kitchen, gardens and on every table, sufficiently
testify to the virtues of the soil. Those valua-
BILE esculents-the Irish and sweet potato-the
former combining in itself the meat and bread
of the poor in the North and the latter a like
Office in the South, are successfully and abund
antly raised-the one in great perfection, the
other inferior to that on sandy soils, yet excel
lent and ample for culinary purposes.
The health of the county is illustrated by
the longevity of its men and the beauty and
bloom of its women. Intermittent and bilious
levers are OF rare occurrence, and when they
do exist, are to be traced to local causes
copious and perennial springs of the purest
freestone water abound in every direction
supplying running streams in every enclosure
and often eligible sites for milling and manu-
featuring purposes.
Intersected by two of the leading railroads
Of the otate-the Orange and Alexandria and
Virginia Central--the former trayersing its
territory obliquely for many miles, its facility
for marketing its products are unequaled, being
within few hours OF Lynchburg, Richmond,
Alexandria, Washington and Baltimore. The
general surface is boldly undulatlng-some-
times, with elevations aspiring to the dignity OF
mountains. Its scenery is beautifully pictur
eesque without being rugged presenting tlon'
It's elevations magnificent panorama and the
most attractive landscapes for the pencil OF the
artist.
The generous and refined hospitality OF the
people OF Orange has long been proverbial, and
their material prosperity has, in better times,
been retarded or impaired by too free an lndul-
gence in their noble characteristics they have
the consolation Of feeling that, their fault, il
fault it be, is one that leans to virtues side. :
Ndt,re -UIro3n,nD