Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-02-24

known as The Northern Neck of Virginia. !"
lie says: in no section of Virginia contain
ing an equal population Is the consumption OF
ali the leading articles of commerce greater,
and, when fully cultivated, few, if any, parts of
our State yield so large supply OF grain. The
lands bordering upon the bay are productive IN
wheat, corn and oats; those along the Kappa
hauuock river grow corn and oats heavily, and
wheat very well; the ridge lands, easily lmprov-
cd under judicous culture, bring from eight to
fifteen bushels of wheat tor one OF seed, and
often twenty-five bushels of corn to the acre;
whilst all are productive in potatoes, beans,
peas aud vegetables. 10 this staple crop the
necessities spriDging from the result of the
Industries the products Of which are well
worthy the attention of any market. Slaves
hoop poles, railroad ties, ivy root, poultry
and eggs, beef, cattle, veals, lambs wool, and
iiults OF every variety, are shipped lu large
aud increasing numbers and quantity. The
tend, ncy is decidedly to fruit culture on large
scale The pecan, peach, damSon, plum and
apricot fud here soil and climate adapted to
,hrir perfect development, whilst all the sum-
ncr, and few varieties OF the winter apple al
tam perfection. 1t needs but facilities of ready
outlet TO market to bring the Northern Neck
al once prominently out as the finest fruit pro-
cucrg region on the Atlantic coast. ln the
smaller fruits this country is very productive.
The blackberry and wild grape, growing spon-
raueously, converted into light vines, are used
in our domestic economy, to limited extent;
Tut upon a ready outlet to the markets of the
country these small fruits will yield an income
great than the wheat crop-Fred. Herald.
CHESAPEAKE AND Ono CANAL.-"The
oro
nearly completed tr,,m Cum berland to the head
Of the Georgetown level FIVE miles above the
the ci,y, aud the water will be drawn from this
level ~ Thursday next aud remain out for fonr
day, OILY, by which time it is expected that the
,nre line will be ready for navigation. certain
y by ,hc Ist Of March,. y
The above is from the Georgetown column OF
the Washington Star. We are glad to learn
that somebody really does believe that Mr.
ltc>iuut \. +. Gorman is making repairs Oh
tie c.na Ii is refreshing to learn that the
repairs ON the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal are
u.arly COMPLETED FROM Cumberland to the head
OF the Georgetown level" We are glad to learn
Of Ills. We have watched with anxiety tor
the commencement Of this necessary work;
We have uot yet been able to discover anything
in that liuc up to the present moment; now,
however, our miud is at ease, as the work Is
completed The early completion OF these re,
pans conyiuc2s US that navigation will be sus-
y nled during the approaching summer, and
that Mr.. Gormau is model president-tor the
rng.
The shameful neglect of the canal during all
this wntcr-an admirable one for repalrs-ls
good demonstration of the wisdom of taking
ring president from remote country, instead
otau honestly interested practical man from a
canal county.
1874 There is prospect for heavy coal
tlaic iu 1854, but the canal will hardly be IN
Iir,t-c class order fer its share Of trade, as the
ring" doesn't seem disposed to spend much
Tor repairs. Cumberland (Md) Ctvtlian..
TARDY JuSTlCE.-Atter many long, weary
years OF waiting, Congress, We hope, Is about
10 do Justice to one OF Southern Maryland 8
most tstimable citizens. 1t will be recolected by
most of our readers that the plantation of Col.
John Henry Sothoron, in St. Mary's County,
was seized by the Government durlog the war
and every thing on it converted to its uses, and
the farm was afterwards turued over to the
freedmen, aud held from Noveu Der, 1868, 10
May, l>Gt as refuge for worthless negroes
We are graiied to 6ud, even at this late day.
that there is disposition manifested in some
quarters to do justice to this gentleman, and,
with this view, our Representative in Congress
Hon. William j. Albert, introduced bill 10
the House to pay Col. Sothoron the sum OF
50, ,G;S. in full satisfaction for 900 pounds
ot'ibacco, 500 bushels of corn, ], $50 bushels
oi wheat, ~ head of horses aud mules, "a
htai of cattle and other personal property, ana
tor use and occupation of farming lands 10 st.
Nary's County from November !, 1865, to
May |, 1866, as home for freedmen, &c, all
during the late war. The bill was referred TO
the Committee ou War Claims, where we hope
i, will not be permitted to sleep. Prince
h'orytuu.
The LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. The Boston
uluh ,hluks that
Ofall libraries. the Library of Congress at
Washington has splendid opportunity for do
rg real service to the literary public OF Am
erica. Every American book is there deposit,
C! aud recorded. Why should not report OF
tlc>c records be regularly issued ? Such re-
port would give the titles OF all copyrlght
books aud be in itself complete photography
fnative literature 1t would be of immense
value to authors, editors, publishers and stu,
dents generally; in fact, to all those actively
engaged in the production and publication OF
American books 1t would be national Wors
cFcdiahle to the country, and OF very lnslgDiI,
cant expense. If We are not mistaken, II
would be the first enterprise OF the KIND upder-
taken among civilized nations, though there is
movement on foot in K ,glaud at this tune to
have the British Museum perform similar
work, though we think that is more general 10
scope and is to cover all the collections OF the
library.
Woupv Avn Sr,JooI CoNNITrEES The
MASSACHUSETTS, Supreme judicial Court has de-
c!ed attirmatively the following question, re-
isrred to it by order of the Legislature: I'm
der The constitution of the Commonwealth can
", W,neu be members of school commlttees?
lhe court holds that the constitution contains
h'hug in relation to school councils, and the
common law of the land was the law upon the
su'lnct, permitting women to ill any local Of
ice OF an administrative character, the duties
attached to which were such that woman wa:
',HHclcul to perform them