The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-15
THE POTOMAC LANDS,

We copy the following valuable article
from the monthly report of the Depart
ment of Agricultural:
The central location of the lands Of
Northeastern Virginia, the wonderful facili-
ties afforded for water communication with
the principal cities, their climatic advan-
tages in fruit-growing through the modify
ing influences of large bodies of deep wa
ter, and the variety found in the soil itself,
contribute materially to true estimate Of
their intrinsic value, which will only be-
come fully apparent when improvement
shall have unfolded something of their real
capabilities. The abundance of sea-weed
on the shores, the plentiful supply of ma
terial for homemade fish-guano, the cheap
ness of oyster-shell lime, and the under
lying mari so accessible through all this re-
gion, offer fertilizers in great variety and
practically unlimited quantity, precluding
the necessity of the more costly CONNER
cial fertilizers, and enabling the farmer to
increase at will the fertility of his lands.
People begin to think that it may be
poor economy to grow corn at ten cents
per bushel on cheap western lands-say
eighty bushels for SS-when lands might
be had at $50 to $50 per acre, in some
places for $40 to 500, that will produce
fifty bushels, worth $40. The soil is gene
rally loan in some places sandy loan
of fine texture and full OF organic matter;
in others, clay loan, retentive of mois-
ture and of manure. It is a light, quick
soil, which literally shoots into perfection
all sorts of products. The climate is pro-
pitious, giving earlier results by from two
IN four yyaaEc thor, nalanoro and Noy,y Jor-
sey. This fact, connected with that of re-
markable facilities for cheap and rapid COM
munication to Baltimore and the more
northern cities, makes this region the para
disc of truck" growers. The same cheap
ness of transportation gives value to the
timber, much of which is heavy, making
cord-wood, formerly drug not worth
marketing, a valuable commodity.
We refer to record of visit once made
to tract which may be taken as a sample
OF these Potomac lands:
"Very little expense has been incurred
for fertilizers. Twenty bushels per acre of
cheap gas lime had been spread upon the
grass land, and the crop is evidently fairly
estimated at two and half tons per acre.
The corn was planted late, but its germi-
nation and growth have been Marvellous
The soil is fine clay loan, in some places
with more of slick, never stiff and heavy,
and never nclining to bake under the in
fuence of heavy rains and hot sun. A lit
tie further on, on the lightest soil to be
found, are peach trees, put out four years
ago, large enough for six years growth, per-
fectly healthy and vigorous, and full offrut.
In the distant wood is one of those blem-
ishes upon Virginia agriculture, an old
field, exhausted and abandoned. Exami-
nation reveals the fact that the exhaus-
ton is skin deep; the surface had been
scratched over, in former years,
and spitefully turned out to grass
and weeds, upon refusal to yield undi-
minished returns with so negligent culture.
The soil Immediately below the surface
has long been unstirred. 1t contains in a
fair degree the elements of fertility, and
the subsoil differs little in appearance, be-
ing little more crude, uninhuenced as it
is by air and frost. An inch or two deeper
blowing, and a little lime to correct its
acidity, would make it comparatively a
productive soil, and green manuring of
clover would make it better still. For
fruit, sweet potatoes, melons, and market
gardening generally, it would produce
largely. For grass it is scarcely surpassed,
IN quantity or quality. Wheat yields a
valuable crop, and corn grows luxuri-
antly."
Inc following letter from Mr.. Chalkley
Gillingham, of Accotink, Virginia, pic.
neer in the development of the capabilities
of these soils, in colony upon a part Of
the original estate of General Washington
IN the vicinity of Mount Vernon, gives Q
brief statement of the results of that enter.
prise:
'.ln the latter part of the year lS46, foul
or five others besides myself purchased this
'Woodlawn' estate IA part of the origi.
nal Mount Vermont, then neglected estate
of 1000 acres. There was not one white
person upon it. Our intention was to form
settlement of people alike in habits anc
sentiments. Others were expecting to joir