The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-03
RICHMOND TO WASHINGTON.
Land--Water.pow Popula tion--RaiIroa ds
observation-disclosures Convention.
From our Special Correspondence

LAnd-N0tRfspOWerS-Po observation-disclosures
-Petersburg-F0rmcrs' Convention.
From our Special Correspondent.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 1872.
Having attended the Farmers Convex
ton at Petersburg, last week, and listened
thoughtfllly to its debates and PROPOSE
tons, we are satisfied good will grow out
of its organization and doings, though it is
not what and all that we expected from the
call or announcement. 1t was not suff
GENTLY attended or managed by practical
farmers yet, several important topics, in
teresting to them, were proposed and dis.
cussed. And the agitation there started
will be considered and examined by farmers
OF home and in their local clubs and meet
ings, such as fertilizers, homesteads, immi-
grafton, general railroad law, and other
topics and thus the agricultural class will
become better prepared to discuss and act
upon them wisely and independently at O
future meeting that may be held, we hope,
ere long.
We found Petersburg, where the Con-
vention was held, a pleasant, active, and
hospitable place, containing many most in
telligent and enterprising gentlemen while
many are too much welded to traditional
ideas and old fogy notions, out of which
the rising generation will gradually grow
and ripen.
We passed from Richmond to Freder-
icksburg, on the Rappahannock river, in
the cars of the Richmond and Fredericks-
burg railroad, and were gratified to observe
signs of improvement along the line, and
also to learn that its freight and travel is
on the increase, which is promising omen
for the country of its prosperity.
There is much good land along the route,
which should have good cultivators, and o
good deal which ought to be better culti-
waited. The number of population ought
to be greatly increased, SO as to present an
industrious, enterprising farmer on every
two or three hundred acres; then they could
have plenty of good roads, schools and
churches, with blooming fields and cheer
full homes. The grand water-powers
should be improved on the Rappahannock
and other streams.
On the cars we found the conductors
obliging and gentlemanly, which was gem
orally remarked, and particularly our
courteous friend, M. A. Birdsong, was
spoken of for his kindly attention to the
comfort Of his passengers.
At Quantico we left the cars and went
on board the fine boat "Keyport," Cap
tain Carter, on which We had a comforta.
bic passage to Washington, though encoun-
tering considerable ice between Alexandria
and the capital.
Immigration--moTe labor, enterprise and
capitalize work the vast, beautiful, friendly
but waste lands--which meet the eye OF
the traveller, is greatly needed all over
this State; and among the means, most
etfectual to bring them here, is for the
farmers to cultivate their fields well and
deeply--so as to produce large yield of
crops, to show the capacity Of the lands, and
thereby recommend them, which will in
duce purchasers. Large yields on the
fields, and low prices for the surplus lands,
is what will, more than anything else, Sc
cure immigration to Virginia /; and next,
fair and liberal representation and adver-
Using through the papers, to be sent North
and East, will do the business but work,
earnest industry, by those already here,
in producing good crops, will do
more than anything else. General
Fitzhugh Lee hit the keynote when be
said, "Industry, economy, close farming,
thorough tillage Of small fields, rather than
skimming large onesn is the true policy
That course will show results far more in.
viting than flaming advertisements or high
sounding resolutions. Then let these sub.
stantial facts be well known abroad, and il
will not be long ere substantial and indus.
trious buyers will flock here from abroad
| to buy farms. G.