The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-25
OUR LoUDOUN LETTER.
Cheese Factories--Mixcd EarminR--Co-opera.
tive Agencies for Selling Produce, &C,
HAMILTON, LoUDoUNl
COUNTY, VIRGINIA,
March 10th. 1872.

COUNT1, lKG1NIA, ?
March 10th, 1872.
10 the Editor Of The State Journal
This wide-awake little place is at present
the terminus of the (so-called) Washing
ton and Ohio railroad, and is surrounded
by one of the best cultivated and fertile
sections Of the Old Dominion. Large
crops of grain, thousands of fat cattle, and
large droves of hogs have annually been
put In the markets from Loudoun. The
produce of this county has an excellent
reputation in Georgetown, Washington,
and Baltimore markets, both for quantity
and quality. This system of mixed farm
ing (raising grass, grain, beef and pork, J
has been IN practice ever since the first set
Element the county. The present condition
of the land and the thriftiness of the owners
show that great Judgment and practical
good sense has been exercised. This ability
is now being directed as well to other
branches of farming. Last year Mr.. j. X.
Taylor, of this place, erected and success
fully operated cheese factory, milk being
supplied by neighboring farmers. here
with send his report of the seasons opera
tions.
Good diaries are now becoming quite
common, either with view to making
cheese or selling milk. An association has
been formed on the half cooperative sys-
tenn, with agents in Washington, to sell the
produce of this section. l enclose a COPY
of the constitution, &C., adopted at meet
ing of the association held March 9th.
1872.
To-day another meeting was held, MAIN
ly for the purpose of getting report from
the committee appointed to make arrange
ments for direct railroad connection be-
tween this place and Washington.
q, The committee report that arrangements,
entirely satisfactory, have been made with
MIR. Stephens, president Of the Washington
and Alexandra road, but nothing satisfac-
tory has been effected with Mr.. Lew
IS Mckenzie, president of the Wash
ington and Ohio road. The people of
Loudoun seem disposed to patronize these
roads to much greater extent than hereto
fore, and think a liberal policy on the
part of the road managers would soon re.
suit in double the amount of business that
is now done. The meeting resolved itself
into committee Of the whole to visit Mr..
Mckenzie, and urge the necessity of better
facilities for transportation of farm produce,
The subject for discussion at next meet
ing is, /" should grain growing be made the
paramount feature in farming" Col. J.
Nj. Kilgour, of Hamilton will deliver the
lecture on agriculture.
Any one that saw the style of farming in
Loudoun twenty years ago, can realize that
a great progressive change has taken place.
The old log barns are rapidly giving away
to good substantial barns, that will rival
the best in Pennsylvania. Cattle are no
longer wintered in the open field with only
straw rick for shelter, but are now com
fortably housed, and fed with care and
economy. Many Of the largest dairymen
are feeding all their hay, straw, fodder, &C.,
cut, and are sure it pays.
The sheep interest is rapidly gaining
strength, and think the number Of sheep
in Loudoun county will soon be several
times larger than it is present, if protec-
ton from dogs can be had. l forgot to
mention, in connection with the cheese
factory and association of this place, that
parties from Fauquier county, Aide, Lou
doun county, and other places, have visi-
ted Hamilton to obtain information, with
a view to starting like establishments in
their respective places. Success has at
tended the establishment here, and / be-
lieve if few could be put in operation
in every county in the State, the cry of
poverty would soon be heard no more.
Amen. Us. w.