New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-20
HOMES IN VIRGINIA.
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.
NoRTHERNER DESCRIBES HIS EXPERIENCE Ann
HIS NEIGHBoRs' IN VIRGINIA.

HIS NEIGHBoRs IN VIRGINIA
TO the Edstor OF The Tribune.
SIR Your article Homes for the Unem.
ployed" in THE TRIBUNE Of April has been read with
much interest You understand the situation and II thu
testimony Of one who came here from the North fys
years ago, will be Of any avail in confirming what you
have 80 well shown in regard TO this matter.
I shall be happy to add my mite of infor.
nation. You are correct In regard TO the feel.
ings Of Virginans toward strangers coming here We
have Presbyterian church here, nnetenths Of whoss
members from the North and West. There is also
United Presbyterian church here. which has large
building in course of construction for the miss
ion school for the cOlOred people Now these brethren
will all bear witness that with very few excep.
tions the native Vrgnians friendly and very anxious
to such people settle among them. On this
point there is no need to enlarge hundreds confirm
what say with regard to this kindly feeling.
In your article The second objection to the State" Ia
the particularly wish TO speak Of, viz The
vague general belief that its farming lands worn
out" -Four years ago gentleman from Pennsylvania
came here and bought farm OF some 500 acres ne
paid $50 per for IL, and the work suspended
shortly afterward railroad and times became
hard, people generally concluded that he would fail
especially as the place he bought considered OF
the poorest in all hecOuntryeompetey exhausted
worn out" The purchaser Of this farm Is a Of
energy not easily discouraged He went to work the
theory of Horace Greeley that instead of the land being
worn out the owner had not yet got down to it;
poughed deep, underdraired wet places, cleared out
rough cOrners and has model farm. Last year he
raised about 400 bushels Of wheat 1000 OF corn besides
rye oats barley etc. has every field put down IN clover
has introduced improved Of every kind and besides
has built fine house, and IA now 'efectlng regular
Pennsylvania barn. Last Winter he demonstrated the
fact that money could made by feeding stock by ship
ping 10 Richmond ten OF the latest steers
this section OF Virginia.
Other farmers are making themselves beautiful homes
here, proving beyond doubt that judicous aud in
telligent system OF farming will in very short time
restore those worn out lands" and make them prOduc
tive Many Of the old planters putting In less
tobacco, and more corn wheat etc. using less CONNER
manures This is all that wanted to make the land
productive any other part OF the country The seasons
time To- mature A Northern man visiting here is dis
cOuraged first by seeing the fields either entirely de-
This need not be So The old planters banshed the
grasses they nerfered with the cultivation OF tobac
CO. Clover does well so do many other grasses pOta-
toes sweet and IRISH and turnips There trouble in
raising the latter Last FAN. after We had raised our
garden sowing it with turnps and had an abundance
all Winter, never pulling them In large GUAM
tity but gong TO the garden whenever We
One-haf cheaper than when we came. Any
buy 100 even hfty,pay fort and as
you saw have little left 10 start him, have
nice home, and enjoy all the comforts OF farm life Un,
I'll the country more densely populated we do not need
any business or professional men Formers are what
want. Some capitalists or Philadelphia nave lately
bought about not far from here and this tract
has been up small farms and sold to settlers at
small advance. The Catholics the purchasers. III
those who are able in Eastern cities would contribute
money in this way they could help many TO homes anu
relieve their cities of surplus population, besides get
ting back their money with interest
THE TRIBUNE, by publishing such artteless contribute
ing much 10 dsabse the minds or thousands IN regard
TO the condition things here Knowing this and be-
leV!ng that wish reliable information ia reSu 10
anything affecting the condition Of the South my
cse for troubling you with letter. Very respect
fully, I'm H.
chase city, Va, April 10, 1873.