The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-24

A New OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TO FARM
ERs.-We are glad to see that some OF our citl
zens are turning their attention to small man
ufactures. Messrs L. G.. Jordan and James H.
Landes have just started an industry in Staun
ton which we believe will be made success
In the room next to Landes' grocery on Au'
gusta street, opposite the Picker building
these gentlemen have commenced the manu-
facture of brooms, and are turning out hrs'
rate article. In appearance and finish tneii
brooms are equal to any on the market, ana IN
strength and durability they are superior 10
the greater portion of the imported sweepers
Mr.. Jordan, although totally blind, is a finish
ed mechanic in his line, having learned the
| trade regularly ard is both swift and skill
| full workman. Mr.. Landes is becoming quite
expert. They have supplied themselves with
the latest and best of machinery for carrying
on in small way, and are making an article
| that will more than hold its own in the COM
, petitive race. The finish is as neat and the
broom as strong as any that can be purchased
Staunton or elsewhere. They manufacture
from three to four dozen daily and are work
ing up good trade, having already secured
contract to furnish the Asylum with some ooO
or 900. In addition to the usual size Tor
sweeping purposes, they manufacture hand
whisk, the latter being neat and strongly got
ten up. As soon as the new crop comes IN,
Messrs. Jordan & Landes propose to increase
their facilities if sufficient encouragement is
extended to justify their outlay. They are de-
termined to furnish the citizens of Staunton
and vicinity with better and cheaper broom
than has ever before been purchased, and be-
fore great while they expect to do a large
wholesale business throughout the Valley and
other sections of the State. They should have
every encouragement, for the great need of
Staunton is just such enterprises as these gen.
tlemen have inaugurated 1t will keep our
own money at home and draw upon the re-
sources of those at distance.
In this connection we would suggest to the
farmers the ACCESSIBILITY of planting two or
three acres of broom corn. 1t is profitable
crop when we'll cultivated, and if attention
were paid to it would be the means of increas-
ing the productive capacity Of the land. An
acre of good land will produce from one half
to three-quartere of ton of broom corn which
if it is of good quality will sell in Baltimore OF
other cities at an average price of $50 or 500
per ton, the range being from $50 to $40 per
ton. There is always ready sale for it, and
if care is taken it can be made a profitable
crop. Let our farmers procure good seed and
make the experiment, if only in small way.
Messrs. Jordan & Landes will do doubt take
it of their hands, and thus save the freight to
Baltimore. Forty dollars per acre is pretty
good annual return for land
SALE OF AN EXTENSIVE MINERAL ESTATE.
Last week, Capt VIM. N. Page, Superin-
tendent of the Hawks Nest Coal Company,
purchased for a number of English Capitalists,
the California and New Hope Furnace proper
ty, in Rockbridge county, containing 1900
acres. This property is situated about five
miles from Goshen on the G. & o Railroad,
and is one of the richest and most extensive
mineral deposits in the South. Capt. T. d.
Ransom is the attorney for the new company,
and Messrs. Echols, Bell 81 Catlett for the
former owners, who were Messrs. W. W. Mar
tin, and z. B. Brickell, and Geo. D. McGrew
s. P. III. Miller, executors of David Richey
all of Pittsburg. 1t is the intention of the
purchasers to erect large iron furnace and
perhaps two on the property and build a rail
road to connect with the G. & O. Road. These
works will be operated in CONJUNCTION with the
Hawks Nest Coal mines and will consume
four or five hundred tons of coal daily.