Middletown transcript., 1869-10-16
NoRTHERN NECK, VA.
FARNnAM, VA. July, 1869.

| N'-S NSAiS"ihSo Al Joul paper
in reply to the inquiries made by letters
from Maine, New York, New Jersey and
Michigan, concerning this region. The
soil of the Northern Neck of Va composed |
of the five counties situated between the
Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, is nat
urally good, and nearly uniform, being
sandy loan, well suited to the growth of
sweet potatoes, melons and all early and
late vegetables; if well managed will grow
two crops of some kinds in one year. Some
fields are in good condition, producing
well, some are worn, having been long
titled In wheat and corn, and no grass seed
used to keep the land in heart. These
worn fields when left out, soon grow up in
brush, and when fertilized with ANYTHING
that returns strength is susceptible of quick
and lasting improvement. Our locality is
not swampy nor unhealthy. Some of it
quite rolly but not mountainous, is free
from stone, easily titled, and is adapted
10 raising grapes, for they grow spontane-
ously,) peaches, apples, figs, sugar-cane,
cotton, tobacco, ground-nuts, &c Wheat,
Indian and broom com, rye, oats, clover
hops, all grow and mature well here, and
are far more easily grown than in that part
OF New York from which | moved, (Scho-
harle CO. } where land sells for many times
the price that is asked for it here. In nv
opinion, the same force of teams, &c. can
work 150 acres as easy as 100 in many
parts of the North, and believe the same
amount as well cultivated (taking the diff
ference of climate, would nourish at least
one-third more animal life the whole year,
for Sham hara paal l;tt1o L.
them at any time.
The climate is mild and healthful, tenn
perature rarely reaching over ninety de-
grees in summer or descending far below
freezing point in winter. Mills, naviga-
ton, &c. are not long impeded by ice in
this climate. There are several nice mill
streams coursing through these counties,
fed by beautiful runs from almost every
farm headed by cool and durable springs.
Water in wells is invariably soft, grain and
lumber mills are convenient, but more
mechanics and machinery are needed and
might do well. At least one third of our
country of Northern Neck is covered with
l. first growth of timber, pine, white, red
and black oak, chestnut, poplar, black wal
nut, hickory and cedar. There was but
little destruction to building timber or
fence by the late war. Farming here new
er has had the attention that it has at the
North and farms have been more neglected
since 1850 than before, but now many OF
: the Southern people are taking hold with
the Northern settlers to improve and de-
- velop the country The buildings are
'I most of them old fashioned, but many OF
u them are quite good, and fence would Of
/ ten cost more than is asked for the farm.
- lu all this vicinity there is good moral
~ and even religious state of society. Sab.
~ baths are regarded, its schools well attend.
- ed the Farnham sunday schools having il
usual attendance over SO scholars. Coco
q schools where all the common as well n,
i. IL some of the higher branches are taught ar,
- supported by the people. White and col
no no ored schools are separate. 10 those thai
~ inquire concerning the safety of moving
~ "a here L would say that | am plain speak
= ing union man-believo in one country
= one flag and in republican government
l." equal rights and justice being extended tt
h ho all, and We have received very kind treat
~ ment from all we meet, and a hearty wei
- come to their homes. All seem anxiou,
-. ~ to make us comfortable and contented
y which you all know is necessary to enjoy
- ment everywhere. Although a native O
~ W the Empire State, and dearly attached tt
W home, friends, &C. there, yet the induce
aS =: ments of climate, soil, and low price O
10 70 lands, ease and nearness to market. &c
u u caused me to decide on becoming Vir
" ginian, and the decision is very satisfacto
-. ry still. Now, farmers and all enterpris
" af ing people of the North may do favor t,
~ -. such as are anxious and obliged to sell
~ u. (from the effects of the late wary and your
~ u selves great favor by coming and buyin.
~ home in Virginia. There is plenty o
~ land for sale, and in the Northern Neck i
~ is selling from $3 to $40 per acre. Home
u' from village lots to 80 acres and 100 anc
:, II 200 acres up to 1000 acres, can be hac
~ ~ here The large farms, usually, are il
W W best condition, and have most improve
-, ments. Do not be afraid to invest in poot
:: real estate, now while it is low and adyan
'-SS eng L well remember a tract of lane
20 - was offered my father for 500; he ha
20 since paid much more for part, and tb,
a.. 10 whole cannot be bought for S25O0 to-day
., Timber enough has been taken off to pu
" " the improvements on, and last Winter n,
no uncle in western New York was grieyip,
for not having bought land as an invest
ment. Now, investments in Woolen an,
an Cotton mills uin Sash and Blind factories
ng in Shingle and Lathe mills, are needle,
nd here and would, doubtless, pay we'll. Com,
mt and see that you had better leave the crow
he ded States, and purchase. a home of a
ke good, If not better, land in a more milt
| and healthful climate, make your improve
st ments, (good material is at handy and SCI
its Cities and Towns spring up around you.
to Readers, full descriptive catalogue o
$ particulars can be obtained by writing t,
his Wm. IL. Newton Il Co. No. % Lexington
of Street, Baltimore, Maryland They arr
re, gentlemen, doing an extensive business i,
ur the land agency, and give entire satisfac
g. ton to all parties. Como and see tbes