The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-07
Tho Dismal Swamp.

! kilograms about tie flre IN the Dlsilal
Swamp appear in the papers in ali dlrec-
tions. It is n remarkable ahair-a 3" big
thing "a fire in that swamp.
The drought and burning sun had well
prepared the dcad-wood and the foliage Of
the reeds and shrubbery, and even of the
larger trees, for burning. We passed in the
vicinity Of the swamp some two weeks
since, and the fire was then skirmishing
for position to bring on q general en-
gagement. 1t had Tapped up already
immense areas Of bush and reels and
dcad-wood in view of the railroad, and
smoke was rising in great clouds in many
directions. The reporters now say that the
flames have penetrated the interior Of the
swamp and have destroyed great deal Of
timber. They have, moreover, expelled
the animals of all sorts, including cattle,
deer, bears, and rattlcsnakcs, which have
gotten away as fast as possible to higher
ground, where, from safe position, they
can contemplate Tie rayagcr Of their
homes. But the grandeur Of his march
affords no compensation for their calamity.
They must suffer immensely, driven from
the deep shades and luxuriant subsistence
afforded by the swamp to the dry and
parchcd regions, unsuccorcd by the abund-
ant moisture which the swamp affords to
vegetation near its level. We pity them
all (cvcn the bcars) save the rattlosnakcs.
We cannot pity them even when hurrying
from that great calamity-iirc ! We would
rather enjoy the scene.
We were struck with The appearance OF
growing crops in those fields contiguous to
the swamp in sight Of the railroad. Not
outstanding the great drought, the corn Of
those fields was vigorous and fresh. It pre-
scented scene Of magniiicence. As far as
the eye could reach it was uniform sea Of
living green. Tie stalks were all the same
cight,-for there was no variation III the
soil--and with their waving rlulncs, they
were like ar army, and appeared TO be
marching upon the railroad The soil is a
rich alluyion, and there is at q short dis
tancc beneath the surface a storchousc Of
perpetual moisture that enables the ycrtlurc
that covers the land TO defy The drought.
This is the winc-ccllar Of King Com, and
and right royalty does lie beer himself, Gle
waited by lis stimulating influence. The
immense cars were gradually tending down
wards from their weight. They had reached
the horizontal. Innumcrable birds were
busy picking of the exposed grain of the
laughing ears. Among them was the beau
tiful red bird, whose flaming color was in
lovely contrast with the exquisite green
Of the corn on which he pcrchcd.
What grand territory is that swamp.
What vast s:orcl1ouse of produce it will
be when cleared up and brought to cultiTa-
ton, as il will lie. What theatre for
lEollandcrs Let them conc over and take
ii, and, leasting and Gourishing upon lis
luxuriancc, they will forget that "thc
Dutch have taken Holland" Upon the
outskirts Of the swamp, and in the vicinity
OF Norfolk ana PORTSMOUTH: we bch04G 10"
what forms sort Of basis Of calculation a.
to tie results O. the cultivation a. the
swamp. The locality Of which We speak
absolutely teams with produce. Let t&osc
who have never known the facts about the
farms and gardens Of NanscmonG, Norfolk,
and Princess Anne, visit that region, anC,
they will be amazed at the production.
Notwithstanding the constant shipment by
steamers TO the principal cities Of the Al
lantic, the ground remains numbered with
fruits and vegetables which cannot be ga
thcrcd in time, and they ere returned to
the land as manure.
There never has been word Of eXaggcra-
ton as to the productiTcncss Of the region
about Norfolk. There is enough there
alone to build l? and support great city.