The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-24

A Northern Nan Trip Through Virginia.
To the Editors of VALLEY Virginian
Leaving the elegant and tasteful Washing
ton depot Of the Baltimore & Potomac r.
r. one bright morning lately, turned to
the stranger at my side to make some re-
marks on the exquisite beauty Of the scene
as We rolled down Maryland Avenue to the
Long Bridge. The broad expanse of the
Potomac, bordered by the green hills OF
Virginia and Maryland, with smoke.covered-
Alexandria in the distance, and Arlington
House and our stately National Capitol ris-
ing boldly on either hand, presented love-
ly view indeed. And looking back from the
Virginia end of that historic bridge the
scene was scarcely less interesting, and we'll
iustities the native taste OF Washington in
selecting the seat OF government. Wash
/ inston City has been ridiculed immensely
in years past by American and foreigner
alike. but the last decade Or two has seen it
grow from: sqnalid, scattered village in the
mud to a beautiful city, worthy OF our re-
united nation, well built, well paved, well
lit,-I would that could add, well governed.
No one can approach it, think, particular
ly from the South, without being struck
with it's beauty, while the immense marble
pile of the Capitol, from its elevation. its
harmonious proportions, chaste architecture
and graceful dome, never fails TO fill my
mind with mingled emotions Of patriotic
pride and aesthetic enjoyment.
My companion, plain, quiet, intelligent
gentleman Of middle age, with cool discern
nent in his gray eyes, enjoyed the scene
thus begun. found him to be farmer from
New York, evidently well read and pros
porous. with positive ideas about men and
things and perfect frankness in expressing
them. Our route, found, was the same,
and, as we travelled together across the
State. propose to record his trip and OBJ
servations rather than my own. The rigor-
Gus climate of New York had induced him,
| with his family, for several years to winter
amid the orange groves of Florida. He had
travelled by the Savannah steamers and by
the tedious Atlantic Coast Line through the
endless swamps Of the lower country, and
was now taking a new route.
II have seen,'' said he. "but little OF the
South where thought would like to live.
Florida is delightful in the winter, and
am told it is at allftimes, but notice that
even the natives leave it in the summer il
they can and, even if healthful, the climate
must be enervating to the constant habi-
tant. The swamps of lower Carolina,
though picturesque at first, grow monoto-
nous and are not inviting to the immigrant.
and eastern Virginia, along the railroad.
seems worn out. grant you that it is only
on the surface, and that they are kindly
soils capable of easy renovation under a
proper system OF agriculture. Along your
noble tidal rivers are many places attractive
| to the settler, but, from one cause or an
other, have found none sufficiently so to
! induce me to sever the associations Of q life.
| time, and leave my paternal acres to find
there new home. l am aware that only
Paradise is without disadvantages, and /
| may possibly be too fastidious, or too reluct-
ant to break the old ties, but such is the
case.''
! "Yet, you have an evident desire to find
a home in the Sonth, suggested.
''Yes. l believe that the South offers
many acknowledgement advantages
Cheap lands, and, believe, a great deal of
| 10 nd fn <rood rl-atc and with
constantly improving home market. 1t is
deficient in manufactures, but these are
growing in number and Importance. But
to me, climate is great incentive to seek a
new home under kindlier skies. Land and
labor are both high in the North, and com.
petition is severe. My farm is worth 1925
per acre and better cultivated than any
have yet seen in the South. OF course,
there is no comparison between Southern
farming and the thorough, careful tillage Of
the North. Yet, think, more money can
be made in the South with less labor.
| Though very surprising, | cannot doubt
statements made upon such authority as
this ;" and lie read from Bramhall's South.
! STU uuGlC VIC AOllOWtuS poi
| Everybody knows that Illinois is the
greatest corn producing State in the Union;
Minnesota the first wheat State east OF the
Rocky Mountains, and New York the first
hay State, but it is not generally known
that Virginia surpasses these States in the
value per acre Of their respective crops. The
report OF the Department Of Agriculture for
| 1876 shows that the corn crop per acre was
worth 1915 in Illinois and 1920 in Virginia;
that the wheat crop was worth 81 .65 per
acre in Minnesota and $500 in Virginia !;
and that the hay crop was worth sl2.SS per
acre in New York and sl7.27 in Virginia. =
ssThese figures" he continued, ''are very
important and suggestive, even after every
possible allowance is made and the ques-
ton of cost OF production, interest, and
transportation is considered. Yet, frankly,
1 haven't seen yet where you do it. But
| then have not seen the best parts OF your
State
| Iexplained to my New York friend, as
well as was able, the characteristics OF the
soil and the productions of the different Sec
| tions Of the State,-of the corn and fruit OF
Piedmont and the Blue Ridge,-of the fine
tobacco of the Southside, of the wheat oil
the Shenandoah Valley,-of the grass and
live stock Of the Southwest, which new pro-
vides John Bull with his choicest roast beef
But he said he had read all this in the maya.
zine from which he had quoted, and con =
tinued:
1 ''That was just the reason | bought my
ticket by this route. | wanted to see dit
ferent country from that l had passed
through before, and one that 1 had heari
and read Of good deal. Though he add
ed, ''it's more difficult to get reliable infol.
nation about your country than you vir.
ginians suppose
| But was seeking for information myself
and T asked