The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-12-11
gEE'. Barbesgr's Immigration Il
SnEsnxsEa -

The Alexandria correspondent Of the Washing
ion Chronicle speaks thus of an interest which
promises to rebound to the prosperity Of great
section of Virginia:
6 What we need, and what we must have, to
supply us with the necessarles OF life at low
figure is to build up the country along the lines
of railroads leading from the South into these
cities to have The fertile lands along the rail-
roads lin this State lea ling to the capital Of the
nation), that now lying waste, turned into
market farms, from whence we can derive all
the cereals, ffuits vegetables, and stock ne
cessary for consumption.
Mr. j Ohm $ Barbour, the energetic president
of the Washington City, Virginia, Midland and
Great Southern railroad, has inaugurated
scheme-of which J. haze before written the
G hronicle--by which to settle the waste lands
and supply these wants. He has concluded that
in the great struggle for through freights
competing lines have so far reduced the profits
as to make this class of freight almost burden
instead of profit. He has, therefore, deter
mined to foster immigration along his line, and
to build up local freight and travel To accom-
comp'ish this end, Mr.. Barbour has obtained
rermis sion from the Legislature to purchase and
sell lands along the line of their road for which
they cap give the bonds of the company, secured
by deed of trust upon the lands, and the said
lands are not liable for any other indebtedness
of the read The company, through its agent,
Mr.. 3. f. Male, has, du1ing the last twelve or
eighteen months, been purchasing land and pay
ing for it in bonds Of the company, secured as
above and bearing six per cent. interest. These
bonds are we'll secured, and are receivable for
lands at par. The lands thus purchased are sold
to actual settlers at moderate rates and on credits
of one, two, three, &c, up to ten years, equal
installment being paid each year thus giving
any one q chance to become real estate owner,
and not pay half the usual rent. l am pleased to
state that this move has met deserved reward,
and Mr. Male has been very successful during
the present year in purchasing and settling
lands. Some twenty small farms, from fifteen to
twenty acres, were laid off surrounding
station called Midland, il Fauquier county, three
miles from Warrenton Junction, and about ten
purchaser of farm lot in the village. All ex-
cept two or three of these farms have been sold
and the company will probably start another set
Element of similar character.
1.-The country along the line Of this road is
one of the richest in the State. 1t is varied in
soil and minerals. Wheat, corn, rye oats, ruits
Of all kinds vegetables and grass can be raised
in any quantity along the main line from Alex
andria up through Albemarle, in the counties of
Nelson and Amherst. Tobacco is also grown in
abundance and fine quuality The finest iron
| ores and many other minerals are also found
along the road. The extention of the main line
| from Lynchbarg to Danvile rnns through the
| great tobacco gro wing regions of the State The
Manassas Gap branch to Strasburg runs through
| the fertile counties of Fauquier, Warrep and
| Shenandoah, and the richest portion of Prince
| William. Cereals and grass are the main source
| of industry along this part of the line. Grapes
and other fruit hat Of late years been eultivat
| ed with great success