The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-29
(For tho Dispatch.l
TO the Farmers of KaenricO-

40 tNS II nAMhS VA aaSAAAA ~~~
The bill now before the Legislature, pre-
pared, as we learn, by committee OF the
"Tuckahoe Farmers Club" is one Of great
interest and Importance to you. Should it
pass the Legislature, and be put in success
ful operation, there can he no doubt our
lands will be greatly enhanced in price In a
few years. Persons coming from other States,
and particularly from Europe and the north
ern States of this country, wishing to settle
near the capital Of Virginia, are astonished
at the condition of the roads leading from
the city, and no doubt in many instances
are deferred from purchasing lands on this
account alone. They argue that there must
be small prosperity in q country with such
highways to market, and that tx they come
here to settle it will cost them too much to
get produce to market; or If men OF means
come here, wishing to locate themselves
near the city in small suburban residences,
attracted by the mildnesS Of the climate and
the society OF Virginians, and especially OF
the city of Richmond, which has very eX-
cellent reputation abroad as a delightful
town, with intelligent, and refined, and So
cable inhabitants, they say we cannot de-
rive much satisfaction and pleasure in visit
ING and driving over such roads as we find
here.
Then reflect, fellow-farmers, how your
interest and satisfaction are directly ln-
yolyed in this matter. If you have visited
the northern States you have seen how
much more the farmers there can haul to
market than you can, and in much less
time, counting the returning as well as the
going; for over good roads rapid trot Gun
be kept up in the returning trip unless you
have load Of manure OF some sort, as you
should have. But on our roads very few
farmers think OF a return-load, and think
themselves fortunate il they can reach home
by night with an empty wagon or cart.
And il YOU could see the roads Of England,
as have, the advantages OF good roads
would strike you with great force. There
double the loads can be hauled rs can be
done in our county, and in much less time.
The ordinary rate Of travel there with an
unloaded vehicle, or pleasure-carriage oil
any sort, is rot less than seven or eight
miles an hour, and often more. The roads
are all macadamized and properly graded,
and are never muddy in the worst weather
What a blessing! The plan before The
Legislature will, presume, increase the
taxes some; but what OF that? Could
money be better expended And could
money and labor be worse expended than
under the present system! IL Is III
most thrown away, and you are taxed fol
almost nothing In return. beg you TO aid
and advocate this plan, and not be penny
wise and pound-foolish."
The writer has no interest in this matter
but his own and that of the inhabitants OF
Henrico; had nothing to do with the pre-
paration of the report or OF the bill before
the Legislature. A FARMER OF HEERIco.
P. S. Now that there is every prospect
OF happy solution OF the presidential
question, we believe bright future awaits
US. Times will speedily mend their bad
ways. Let us ''put our shoulders to the
Wheel (discarding the aid Of Hercules,
and speedily mend our chad ways" Who
knows but what, if this plan is successful,
it may be the "entering wedge" to renova'
ton OF all the roads OF the Old. Dominion
A FARMER OF HENRICO.