The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-24
MONDAY EvEN'G. FEB. "a, 1873.
VIII it Pay to Restore the Worn
Lands of Virginia?

VIII it Pay to Restore the Worn
Lands of Virginia?
This question constantly arises in dis
cussions about the value of our lands.
The settler who contemplates purchasing
land for cultivation is intensely interested
in its proper settlement. We answer
generally that it sciN pay to improve our
exhausted soils. By this we do not mean
that erery piece Of worn land is good
investment. Nor would VIC advise every
class of settlers to purchase this kind of
land. What we do claim is this, that such
worn lands as ,oere originally good may be
pfofitably recuperated.
1t is to be remembered that these lands
lie, for the most part, near tde-water, and
are therefore very accessible.
They are free from stumps and stones,
aud may therefore be cheaply cultivated.
On the old farms are buildings and orchards
which furnish many comforts, and greatly
assist settlement. These lands were origin
ally good, and the mineral constituents Of
the soil are still in great measure present.
The organic matter has been exhausted,
and some Of the soluble constituents like
lime and potash. These may be readily
returned by applying lime, mari, and ashes
and ploughing under succession of green
crops. All along the tide-water region of
Virginia, mari is abundant and oyster shells
furnish the best of lime cheaply. Extensive
deposits of peat and muck also exist and
may be readily and cheaply applied.
Shallow ploughing has been practiced
for many years, and the slight depth of
soil loosened will not support any vigorous
growth. This can, of course, be remedied
by deeper ploughing and subsoiling. The
old open drains. constructed years ago with
great thoroughness, have often become
filled with brush, leaves and decayng
matter. Thus extensive areas of bottom
land or fiat uplands have become too wet
for tlllage. These drains need opening
again, and the soils may be thus rendered
productive, and will often produce very
large crops without fertilizing.
These are the principal points to be
noted in the restoration of the worn out
soils of Virginia. 1t will be seen at once
by all acquainted with the process of re-
storing lands or maintaining the proper
status Of fertility in good soils, that there
are no very serious difficulties to be sur
mounted. The means of recuperation are
convenient. Only enterprise, capital and
skill are needed to utilize them.
But will it pay to invest money in that
way? Can reasonable inducements be
held out to men Of the requisite
ability and capital to make this
disposition of their means? That
of course depends upon whether there
are any charms for him in our fine climate
and splendid scenery, convenient location
and the Injuries of the vineyard and
orchard, which repay labor so bountifully
here. If these, or considerations of health
turn his way hither, we think it can readily
be shown that his capital invested in farm
ing even the worst worn lands of Eastern
Virginia will be amply repaid. Let us
suppose the case Of man who owns
a small farm of 100 acres in any of
the Northern States worth, as numerous
farms are, $4,000. This land IN our best
farming regions will prod, ce say so BUSH
els of corn, % bushels Of wheat and one
and half tons of hay to the acre.
the annual rental on this land is 81 200,
calculating the interest of the money it
will bring and the taxes and insurance on
buildings. The same amount of land can
be bought in Virginia just as good naturally
and as well located for two thousand dollars,
The owner of the farm can sell North, buy
as much land here and with four thousand
put on good new buildings, fence it and
give it start. He then has four
thousand, which put at interest,
will yield enough to cxpend in
in manure annually, to secure paying
crops. The money expended thus is not
only repaid by the crop, but handsome
profit on labor and manure besides. This
of course, assumes that the party uses the
approved modes of handling our old lands.
That he does not undertake too much in
any one year, and is thorough in his work
lining freely, ploughing under clover and
other green crops, and making all the
stable manure possible. Grass and |
pasturage will also be most inn
portant step in the rotation. Pursuing this
course every year, he will find his farm
soon paying as good an interest on one
hundred dollars per acre as the one he left.
These are the simple facts as to our worn
soils. We leave every man to decide
whether he will come here. If he desires to
come, and is good farmer, we know that
he can make farming pay here.
A LATER scientific luminary than OAR