The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-07
Lester from Timber Ridge. VA.

| the Democrats, and OF course elected. J.
! Lcfter from Timber Ridge, Va.
! Editors Dispatch Dear rs,-As we gaze
| intcntly upon our political horizon, which
! is fast becoming clouded with party factions,
and which are soon to commingle their
wrath and determine our presidential strife
in the not distant future, it will probably
! not DC amiss to turn for moment from this
national conflict to the consideration OF
some OF our local and agricultural interests.
Our valley particularly Rockbridge),
! bounded by majestic mountain peaks on
either side and wrapped in its robes Of
living green, presents q lovely and pic
turesquc appearance Just now. On every
side is to be heard the merry songs of the
! sons OF toll engaged ut their various pur-
suits, and rendered merry no doubt by the
tiattcring prospects around them.
Our wheat crop is a very large one, and
its prospects more encouraging than any
since the war. 1t is free from the ravagcs
OF insects. and should it not be attacked
with rust the crop will be a perfect success.
Our oat crop is OF medium size, and has not
been a success for several reasons, with dull
prospects now. Quite large crop Of corn
has been planted, came up finely, is being
thoroughly cultivated, and with tine sea-
SOM growing nicely. 49,.
The heaviest loss we have sustained in the
way Of crops, and which has been rather a
succession OF disasters, is the total destruc-
ton OF our fruit. Its early prospects, under
n genial temperature, were never more flat
tcring, but, like Jonah's gourd, the Destroy
ing element visited us, and in one nights
time IL persisted.
Our community can boast OF some OF the
largest and bcSt-cultivatcd orchards in the
Ctnfn RI 10 fln,, -11oy, InY Ill
from an elevated standpoint resemble some
vast area OF flowers. Many Of our farmers
have given it much attention for years, Sc
Letting good varieties Of peaches and apples
and ali other specialtieS in the fruit line,
and arc now prepared to enjoy both the
fruits and profits OF their labor.
The nursery OF which the enterprising
firm Of Franklin Davis Il Co., Of your city,
are proprictors was first established at this
place, and was then under the proprietor
Ship and personal management OF its pre-
sent senior member (Alr. Davis, and was
quite small affair. As the cultivation Of
fruit was then rather in an embryo state he
received hut little encouragement, and many
(who since have extended HIM liberal pa
tronage) dcridcd and doubted the success OF
his enterprise: but being possessed OF in
, domiablc energy and L thorough know
ledge OF the business he removed 1t from
this vicinity to Staunton, from thence to
Richmond.
You can scarcely imagine the many adj
vantages derived froma bountlful fruit crop
particularly to lis OF this scction), and it IS
quite dScolraging to look upon our thrifty
orchards stripped Of their luscious fruits.
Thousands OF dollars worth OF fruits, both
in a green and dried state, are sent from the
Valley Of Virginia annually into the vari-
Oils markets Of the States (when the crop is
:. not failure), and it is also wonderful the
effect it has upon the financial interests OF
the Valley. l am surprised to learn from
fruit-agentS who have canyassed the State
that our people do not pay more attention
to this enterprise. -
Virginia possesses soil and climate pecu-
liarly adapted to its cultivation, and many q
barren waste with but little expense might
be made to blossom as the rose and rendered
profitable. 1t is OF easy and almost mex
pensiYe cultivation, and no more liable to
destruction than any OF our leading staples.
Our farmers are also paying much atten-
ton to the raising of tobacco, and are quite
successful. Owing to our soil and climate
they principally cultivate that class known
as 'shipping.' 1t seems not to require that
nice attention necessary to produce finer
grade, and what it loses in quality it returns
in weight and easy attention. Indeed, Dir.
Editor, we are scarcely deficient in anything
, necessary to render Us banner county.
Our uncompleted railroad VALLEY railroad}
hangs like great milestone about our necks,
and we are feeling great financial pressure
arising from its non-completion. We are
paying annually into its Golfers an onerous
tax, without receiving a dollar in return, and
no thanks, for our liberalty. In reviewing
this railroad scheme l must conclude that,
If it was not conceived in sin, it has surely
brought forth great financial injury to the
Valley counties west OF Augusta on its line.
Neither can / see the great tnagndnimlty
with which the Baltimore and Ohio Company
and Baltimore city subscribed each $1,000
900 to the capital stock OF this road. TO use
q common phrase, it is almost too thin!
Surely the action OF these two corpora
tons was personal and selfish. 1t was ne
cessary and OF vital interest to the former
to do away with its "pent-up" terminus %
IIarrisonburg, and form 4 connection with
the Chesapeake and Ohio road at Staunton.
And then having controlling interest in
the Orange and Alexandria road, running
parallel with this proposed line, and having
its connections with great railroad centre
at Lynchburg, is it reasonable to suppose
; that the Baltimore and Ohio Company should
,, earnestly desire the completion OF this road
valley railroad) west OF Staunton?
Again: Can it be supposed that little
, easier grade to or from the Virginia and
Tennessee road at or near Salem, or the local
frcights Of this valley, or to give those .fc,o
isolated counties the advantages OF a road,
justify the expenditure OF so much money
on the part OF the Baltimore and Ohio COM
pany? Surely, not these considerations,
else why should this great enterprise stop
suddenly after its completion to Staunton /?
! The latter Of these two corporations named
baltimore city, had its self-aggrandizement
in view in this matter, and no special inter-
: est in the welfare of these counties or the
Valley railroad, beyond serving its own
purposes and convenience. She is twin
sister to the former.
Her object has ever been to draw all the
trade and commerce OF this valley, and all
that might find its way into our markets !;
divert it, without special inducements, from
its legitimate source, and build up its own
emporium to the detriment OF ours. Hence
she virtually places her subscription to the
DISPOSAL OF the Baltimore and Ohio Com
pany, and, in regard to this diversion OF
trade from our markets, will say that this is
q subject too much neglected by the people
OF our own dear Virginia. Our markets
offer us every inducement for our patron
age, are Just as inviting in every respect;
and surely their interests are more closely
identified with ours. Let us, then, accept