The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-26
NEEDS AND RESOURCES OF VIRGINIA.

NEEDS AND RESOURCES OF VIRGINIA. |
With her excellent and varied soil, her
admirable climate, fine timber and rich
mines, her unlimited water powers
beautiful scenery, and above all, her great
healthfulness, Virginia should be one Of
the most thickly settled states in the Union.
Excepting, perhaps, in some limited Sec
tons, this state is capable of comfortably
maintaining and profitably employing as
dense population as any other equal por-
ton of our country, and it is an unnatu-
raj and erroneous state Of affairs that she is
not so populated. Nature is profuse in her
blessings on every hand, and Providence
has been surprisingly bountiful and it
remains only for man wisely to possess and
improve these rich privileges. --,ra.
And the grave question arises, why is
this beautiful and genial heritage so sparse
ly occupied and inadequately improved
What is needed to properly fill itup with
a thriving and happy population? We
believe it only needs acider publicity and
lo,ccr prices for the lands. A more extend
ed and general knowledge of the vast and
varied resources, among other peoples, and
a more liberal policy, in regard to prices
for surplus lands, by the holders. High
prices will never sell these lands, however
inviting; except, perhaps, in some few fa-
cored localities can they be sold for fancy
prices. ...... ...., ..t. -l e.r-.r-s. ....,.E 8
With our vast continent-millions of
acres of new, rich, handsome lands, in the
great West, which can be had for the mere
settling OIL them, or at merely nominal
prices--men who want farms to cultivate,
will not often come to Virginia and give $40
$40, or even So an acre. for lands. on which
to make homes though some of us would
sooner pay that price than go to the West /;
but that will not be the prevailing choice.
Besides, those regions are widely and zeal
, ously advertised to the world, and thou.
sands know about them who never hear Of
Virginia lands. With all her charms, as a
locality for residence, she cannot compete
with those circumstances, unless the own
ers of her surplus lands, put them into the
= market at the lo,cest figures, to divert the
public from the cheap lands of the West.
And as earnest friends to Virginia, sincere
/, ly wishing to see her rapidly settled up ane
prospecting, and from considerable knowl
edge of the outside sentiment, we say, thu
sooner her extensive land owners lcarI
r that fact--that their surplus lands must b.
q. put down to low fgure-the sooner viii
T they and the State be started on the sur
:, :. and rapid road to prosperity-to Increases
is population and growth. srs. -rg.E .
De Every man, who has 100, 500, 900 o
N any number of acres, more than he cal
properly and profitably cultivate and com
er fortably pay taxes on, in our opinion, ha
ne better sell the surplus, in quantities t
e- make small farms, to Industrious occupants
sr even at very low figures, and put the pur
p chase money into teams, stock, an
go thorough tillage; whereby he will speedil
secure handsome income, as well as use
full inhabitants all around him to help max
"a. and maintain roads, schools, churches, a!
ricultural clubs, and in every way produt
thrifty population and prosperous bus
a. ness which, in short time, will NAL
Nh the portion of land which he keeps wor
~ more than the whole would be, if left
A.. lie idle, with no occupants, in sparse con
n munity, and taxes accumulating. E
&C. But holding these lands, which al
net without fences and buildings, and the pr
TT, prietor without the means to cultivate
IN. holding such lands for high prices, even
,re $40 to So, is simply ridiculous and ruinou
a when men who want snail farms can
rly West and have the gift of 100 acres
Ike choice land merely for settling upon it, III
rly der the United States homestead lao al
ian they will go there in preference. a.s
a True, many people in the North wou
nd prefer farm in the States near t
in, Atlantic seaboard, the home associate
he and markets, and could find privilege
the in Virginia which we appreciate, r
av- to be met with in the far West yet
are majority of farm-seekers don't think so, a
IN will act differently. Jog -aae ~
ket Then, again, we say, that where there
lOll SO InuCl lanu lOf Sale Us IilcTc Is III '
W. ginia, with the great West in competitie
to the lands here will have to be put down
on, near the price Of Government lands in t
and West, before any great amount of sales a
ar immigration will be realized. . ..a.
ced Five or ten good occupants and cultivate
led on every one thousand acres is five or
I'm. times better for the community and
t in State, than to leave the same tract in t
rid, hands Of one or two, and not half culti'
ais ted, and the social enjoyment abridged
the sparse settlement. And large land pl
In prietors will do well to at lie
Dor reflect upon this, and then try
ern motto advertise literally and sell
nch low prices-and, our word for it, you
and soon see the State steadily filling up W
the Industrious and intelligent cutivators.
rue vi =------- "
nts THROUGH ROUTE TO NEW YORK
'ght The energy and go-ahead enterprise
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