Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-09
Letter from Fairfax Co. Va.

been nearly nyear since hrSt< trou upon Flr-
GINA soil looking for land. and the subject of
emigration to the South at this time being in
teresting, I thong tIwould communicate to you,
in my plain way, the impressions and experience
of myself so far rs regards the section in which,
| am located. propose to give, you the plain
factsas find them, not with the rhetorical flour
ish (eyeu i'll were able) OF an interested land
agent. but as proven to me by close observation
and experience.
. do not know that it is necessary for lie to
,allude to the natural attractions otterd by Fir--
GINA, as many able writer's have already portray
ed the subject under the head OF ,Revlv!ng
Virginia" as we'll as the geographical situation
is sufficient to establish the salubriety of its
climate, mildness of its winters and the equality
of its temperature, while the geological sur
yeys have proven to the world long ago that the
natural condition of the soil is excellent, posses
sings greater variety than is found in any other
State in the Union, being we'll interspersed with
beautiful streams and springs of soft water not
to be surpassed, aud af1ording great variety Of
natural productions Possessing all the miner
ais and subterraneous treasures adapted to the
use, economy and convenience OF civilized man,
while her water power and excellent timber
stand preemincnt, inviting the mechanic the
manufacturer, and the capitalist; as well as her
nayigable rivers and bays ad iacent to the ocean.
add Still more attractions by inviting the com
mcrcc to her from all parts Of the world. Such
is what nature has done for Virginia; but man
has not been heretofore equal to her progressive
and natural demands. Bound by the chains OF
slavery, she refrigerated till the strong arm OF
war brought on by man 5 tyranny, rent aSunder
those nlanaclcs that made man tree and liberated
Virginia.
The new era has begun, free school IS establish
cd and in operation. without regard to sex or
color; machinery is being applied to her water
power, timber converted into lumber, her lands
cultivated by hired and more efficient labor,
stock. grain. fruits, roots, &C.. are being lmproy.
ed, aud everything pertaining to civilized and
ENLIGHTENED nations being rapidly adopted by
the people Her mines Of coal lime and MN
erals are to be brought into market by her newly
constructed railroads, and being in their infancy
much more capital, enterprise and labor Is need
ed to develop properly the great treasures OF the
Old Dominion. In fact none Of her natural re-
sources are fully developed, but can be with
more ease and with comparatively less capital
and labor than in any other State.
But the land, the great wealth Of the State,
is tc great extent neglected Thousands of
acres are living idle for the want Of capital, Ell
terprise, and labor to develop their great and
natural producing powers Iearattery year the
lands have been run down by crop after crop
without the addition of fertilizers to recon-
peuse them for their loss, buildings aud fences
being destroyed by the rebellion, and to the
hasty traveller it presents an unlnyltlng scene:
But in taking time to investigate he will lind
that all this is quickly and cheaply Repaired
The people are poor, they have not the means
to repair with. therefore you perceive that ex-
plains why 81 much land is for sale. And
wherever you find Il man that has passed
through the war, either Northern or Southern,
and had some property left or some mealIs to
go on with. you would be surprised to zee how
quickly they regain themselves, and | know OF
no place that offers stronger illustration tllall
my own immediate neighborhood and sur
rounding country. 1t is true We have the add
vantage Of the capital Of the nation near Us,
which affords AN excellent market and that
suggests to my mind the great pruprlety OF
emigrant: not To pass too hurrIedly by this sec
ton Of country. for in it the field Is still open.
Much il needed here Yet, aud great bargains
are to be had BY the investment of the trea
sures of the overloaded northern agriculturlst,
the foreign hortculturist: and the practical
farmer. 10 such the attraction Is inviting III
deed for SO far as | am able to understand
the ease with which the land is cultivated and
made to yield, by expending little money, and
BY observing the mode OF action and the sue,
cess Of my neighbors, know not its equal even
comparing my old and beloved Bucks county:
Give it the saline treatment and you are forced
to submit to. its superiority
invite the man with some means to emil
CRATE to Virginia, and the more the better, tol
then will bis income be greater, but i'll invest
lug for land, especially for the kind that Is run
down, but not near as bad lis you tiIiuk, fol
the Swimming of the one-horse pillow has not
turned up all the good soil. Invest only halt
of your money in land, keep the other half to
improve with, then you will succeed admirably
for you soon will be the possessor OF that which
will only stand you in one-thlrd to e-halt rs
much as the same would cost you in the North:
! and the productions will bring you the same
as in the Northern markets, to say nothing OF
the mildness, pleasantness of the climate: and
the great alaptability to growing fruits OF all
kinds, and in the heart of civilization
am asked ''What show is there for the
laborinr man without means?" No better
than in the North. Labor is abundant and
cheap here; consequently the man with means
reaps the benefit OF itssupera bundancc. Again
it is inquired, How much money ought a
man have to emf crate South?'' I think not
less than $1,000. Under that he finds it hard
work if he attempts farming as the owner oi
land. He can rent farms with less capital than
in the North The mechanic may come with
less than $1,000, and they arc badly needed |
think of all capacities yet the mechanical
trades are not neglected We have to depend
on the city tradesmen chiefly for frstclass work,
men, when they ought to be in our midst in,
stead of the many halfrates. these being re-
pairers and overrun with work. All that is
needed is for Northern mechanics to start in
Northern settlements; they will do we'll; Others
will initiate them
The writer then makes some remarks with
regards to politics &c, (Which we will notice
another time) and goes On as follows:
Can you make living in the South? is a
question asked and has been commented upon
through the columns Of you paper by some
writer, who statcsyou can on large tracts Of land
and, if l mistake not, says on small tracts you
cannot unless in close proximity to Il city mark
ct. OF course l have not had Il years expert
ence in Virginia, but think | can form some
idea In one year BIZ the assistance of friends