The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-05-09
NO. 5
IMMIGRATION TO VIRGINIA.
VERMONT MANUFACTURERS ABOUT TO 10.
CATE IN FAIRFAX COUNTY.

VERMONT MANUFACTURERS ABOUT TO 10.
CATE IN FAIRFAX COUNTY.
An interesting cooperative. experiment
isabout to be tried in Fairfax county, vir.
ginia. Mrs. J. A. H. Ellis and some asso.
ciates established at Springfield, Vermont,
ABOUT four years agoa co operative company
for the manufacture of household imple-
ments of wood. The conditions of member.
ship were that each person should be DOS.
sessed OF cash capital Of $500, which was
to be invested in the stock OF the companv.
All members were to be employed by the
company, either in shops, on its farm or in
the house, and to be paid wages, and were
required to invest % per cent. of their gross
earnings in the stock of the company for
the purpose of increasing its capital.
Nearly all the members OF the Associa-
ton were young persons without families,
who were taken upon probation, and when
found to be OF good character and Of indus
trious habits, became permanent members
OF the Company. The experiment in Spring
field, in spite OF many drawbacks, like want
OF sufficient capital and proper railroad IA
cillties, was an encouraging success. The
Company numbered twenty-five members,
and employed about sixty hands. 1t pur-
chased shops and machinery, and found a
ready market for its wares until it met with
loss by fire and the failure of insurance COM
panies. ..4s.ss
The Company now proposes to transfer
its scene of operations to Fairfax county,
Va. Colonel Edward Daniels, of this city,
who owns the mansion aud plantation which
was formerly the residence OF Governor
Mason, has furnished to the Company 800
acres of land, farming stock and implements,
for which he has taken shares in the Com
pany, and has leased at nominal rates his
house and buildings. On the farm are ex-
tensiye orchards and numerous kinds of
fruits, just coming into bearing condition.
About dozen members Of the Company
have already arrived from Vermont, and
farming operations will be begun on large
scale.
1t is also proposed during tie summer to
erect shop on the land of the company ad-
jacent to the warf on the Potomac river, and
to resume the manufacture Of wooden house,
hold implements early in the fall. The old
members of the Company will bring from
Vermont machinery, household goods, etc.,
for which they will receive certificates of
stock covering their value. By the charter
and bylaws of the company it is forbidden
to incur any debt. The members are to
board in the conpany's house. where every
comfort and luxury will be provided at cost
price, with 10 per cent. added to pay ex-
penses. All articles Of clothing, provisions,
etc., are to be purchased at wholesale rates,
and furnished to the members at a small adj
vance. Besides manufacturing ard ordinary
farming, the association will also engage in
market gardening, fishing and other enten
prises which may be found profitable.
The experience of the members of the old
company in Vermont and their success leads
the promoters of this undertaking to believe
that, under the more favorable circumstan-
ces surrounding them in Virginia, they will
be able not only to furnish permanent and
remunerative employment to the members
Of the company, but to accumulate capital
rapidly and give work to many others on
their farm and in their workshops.
can.