Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-11-13
ne, A gentleman from this vicinity re-

Gently departed for "Old Virginia" with
a view Of purchasing land and "seeIng
the country" and in order 10 fulfill his
promise he has given Us sn mixing Of
his perambulalions as follows -
NORTHAMPTON Co., Va. Oct.
Mr.. Edilor-Dear Sir-ln our rsmble
for isnd.seeing We have arrived here
This county Is the terminus OF PENN
suls. which if no, Lands End" is The
end of all visible land in THE direction
Smiths Mocquon and Cobb's Islands be-
ing only the break-waler, few miles
distant from The Beach, Smiths Island
named for the original American John
Smith, first tller, &C., has upon II the
fsr-seeD and famed lighthouse, one hun.
dred and sixty feet high, with revolving
lens. flashing every eighth Of minute
The fash visible eigh. times in minute
from as many points; it Is three miles
from Cape Charles, the Northern Virgin.
ia Cape. The conception is that this
poruon Of the Peninsula was originally
the common strand Ct The Ocean and
Chesapeake Bsy-conclusive evidence OF
this idea is generally manifest.
The county Of Northampton. | under
stood. was near thirty miles IN length
from Cape Charles 10 Occohonoc and
NassW sdJox Creeks. the northern boun-
Diary, separating i, from The county OF
Accomsc; its width from Ocean 10 Bay
at lis centre is less Than six miles; view
OF both Ocean and Bay could be had from
slight elevation by looking in different
directions.
The surface of The land is plane. ap,
parenlly mol twenty feel above the surface
Of the sea. al high tide, with few other
depressons than those Of the channels OF
the fresh waller streams that flow slug
glshIy, respectively 10 Ocean or Bay.
The cleared land is all arabic, and to the
eyes of an agricuturist looks peculiarly
alirsciive--no rocks or stone 10 impede
or marshes tbs, require laborious effort 10
drain, or evils Of growth that would be
difficult, to eradicate. The land is ofiwo
grades. the fr,l that which was originally
covered with mixed growth of timber,
Pine, Oak, Sweet Gum, Hickory, Pop
lar, ilclly, &c. The soil Of the first
grade is The best its surface is covered 10
the depth Of six or more inches with a
dark vegetable mould intermixed with
sand thai lies on subsrstum arying
from few inches 10 foot and upwards,
which is succeeded by yellow and white
sand 10 unknown depths. |! is from the
sand that the water in wells is afforded
abundant and agreeable. The second
grade or Pine barrens largely predomi-
nate, the basis Of the soil Of which is Sim
liar 10 some exien. 10 The soil Of the first
grade, but not as productive; the soils Of
either grade is susceptible of an ease OF
cultivation incredible, save 10 an eye
witness; the FIRST pIoughng in spring or
fall is usually done with small cast
plough drawn by one horse and managed
frequently by boy or woman.
The most important and valuable sta.
piles adapted 10 the soil and cultivated
here are corn, oats, sweet and Irish pola-
toes, OF the former one hundred 10 one
hundred and fifty barrels are grown upon
an acre-no fiction; ,urnips, rulabsges,
cabbages, &C., attain great perfection; Of
vegetables and all melons that grow on a
vine are produced in size and numbers III
credible 10 the uniniliated; frui! in size,
flavor and variety compare very favorably
with those Of any other region. though
little interest is manifested in their
growth.
Tive name Of the productions Of salt
water is egion--the most delicate 10 the
sense of taste il the salt water Terrspin,
it resembles those in our ponds though it
lie Of black color A large proportion
of the unreared lands ore heavily timber
ed and abound in original growth Of pine,
white and black oak, red bay, swee, gum,
hickory, holly, &C., with their evergreen
and varied foliage, scarlet and blue Der.
ries. form picturesque appearance OF
rare hesuIy, at1ording much pleasure to
behold. i.