The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-03-21
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.
LETTER FROM "B0TETOURT."

BLACKSBURG-THE STATE HORTICULTURAL
COLLEGE-ITS LOCATION, PLANS, AND
PRosPECTS-CoAL BEDS, MINES, &c.-PE0-
PIE AROUSED WHAT OTHER STATES
HAVE DONE, &c.
BLAcksBuRG, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, VAR
March 1872.
Passing leis,,rely through this highly ia
cored region, have for few days called
halt at this snug little town, the seat Of Pres
ton and DIN Institute, and therefore the loca-
ton of the future State Agricultural and Me-
chanical College. To see and understand the
advantages Of this location for school of the
character designed is to fully appreciate the
wisdom of the Legis allure in its selection, to
whom be all honor.
Blacksburg is situated on plateau or table
land, forming valley about twenty miles
long bv six in width, and while from the
town mountain ranges may be seen on either
side Il few miles distant, it is in reality on the
summit Of the -Alleghancs, and may be con-
sidered the head Of the great Valley of Viz
ginia. The air is pure and bracing. and the
climate as healthy as any in the world. Water
is everywhere abundant and good, and as to
the fertility of the soil there can be no ques-
ton. ] have travelled and retravclled all
through this grand Old Dominion. and
must say that know of no place have yet
visited which can equal Blacksburg in
the natural wealth of its native soil and the
resources of the country surrounding. 1t Is
proposed to purchase some of the tlne ARA
BILE land adjacent to the college building
(which as it now stands Is no insignificant
structure, yet is to be greatly enlarged and
improved,) and make of this acquisition
highly-improyed farm, where scientific eX-
periments in agriculture and horticulture
may be fully perfected, and where the you'h
of our State may be trained in the all-import-
ant but mucl-neglected science of farming.
with the S2O. 900 to befurnished by the county
and other funds which it is thought can be
secured bv private subscription and other
wise. the buildings are to be erected, in con-
nection with those already on the ground,
and it is hoped that the institution can get
under Roadway by the coming fall; the pre-
sent structure being sufficient for the accom-
mediation of seyenty-fve or one hundred pu-
nils. EVERYTHING seems to favor the enter
prise, This section OF the State is Modified,
for something has now been done for South
western Virginia, the long-neglected South
west; the people feel that justice has been
done them, that an important enterprise has
been committed to their charge, and they
will not talter from the trust imposed IN
them. There will be every advantage Of
fered that can stimulate our citizens to pa
tronize the institution largely. 1t will be
accessible from every point, only seven miles
from Christiansburg depot (when the new
pike is completely and an excellent road,
except in winter, within easy distance
of several popular watering-places-the
Montgomery White, the Yellow, and the
Allegheny springs-the first two not more
than boys step distant; fuel IAN important
item in large establishment in the shape
of excellent coal, abundant. cheap, and to be-
had in incxhaustible. supply, not more than
three miles away in the Brushy Mountains;
society equal to any in the State in quality,
though there IL reosn for more of the same
sort. And If in the further development
of this enterprise it should seem desira-
BILE, as has been done In Missouri,
to establish % BRANCH of mines and
metallurgy the minerals and metals are here.
at hand In abundance. The richest veins Of
lead have been discovered but a few miles
of. and the most productive beds of aron ore
are worked in thes adjacent country, afford
ing opportunity for practical research TO the
students in those departments. The21outs'