Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-03-09
Tobacco Industry.

InE PLAINS Fsrq1isr Go. w., March s.
10 the editor Of the Alexandria Gazette:
l: bfs been wisely said, "thst he who makes
iTo eialks CT ctrs, OF two blades of grass,
slr!as up whore ouiy oos grew bofcr,, deserves
moro ct lis country shan lhs waole raos Of
Politicians" a.d Iii, stxion comes with par.
sicular force, at tho present limo. The poli;i-
cacS have tried their hands. they have msds
tha haooE OF the State "a bJ-1ord aud q
scaro." Ihsy hlv) taken the management! Of
cur stfars from properly, education and talent,
aad pltc d them 10 tho hands of igncrsrcc
sid poverty, AID we have but to giscca o. the
record OF their WraDgIirg over the Offices 10 the
gift OF tho State, TO see what trash has risen
to the su,t.ar. The w5rst of lhsm seem to be
gifted With "ftx ct preter0 nibl." But
havo wandered of into the Dismal Swamp OF
politics. from my otj.ot which was to MIKE q
suggestion affecting the material interest OF this
part OF the counIy. IS VOL as Of Alsxandris
ltaoif. nE &c old man ard lived for ore
than 60 years 10 the tobacco region of Virginia,
bu: for son3e years pssi have been living With
my 500 10 FaCqucr. l SEQ evtr3 day, the diff
fsrecco bolwaen The condition and prospeots
ct tho small farmer 10 this grazing region cf
Virginia and bis fellow 10 tho tobscc, growing
portion of the State. There every industrious
farmer, Bih 100 sores or lasa, pulls or 10
tobacco; this will briog him in cssh $3.50 TO
5000; this sum be puts outat interest add yesr
BY year adds to his nest egg. This enables him
to rent or buy more laud and increase bis pro
Gs, Thiio having little mGn:y ahead, enables
him to stand the failures of sessor, Hi,hou,
running 10 de5.. Mary of the mcss snbstan-
tla tarnersio Albsmstle AID 6i,ining coua-
tl:s have laid the foundation of their fortunes
10 this mauner, How different is the case
with the small farmer here. Ia has neither
herds to pasture, Dor pasture for herds, no
money. aud no means of making any. tho sur
plu5 ct bis little crop of wheat and corn will
barely snfho: to pay taxes, AID the good wife
must co.be the children, end provide the
groceries. BY her fowls sud tu!ter. Blu. let
sickness CT bGd season c)me. or horse or
COW die, they have co resource, 10 meaus of
replacing their loss. and they s3on lose all hons
Of improving their condition.
IL the last ysar or two soma Of tho small
farmers near Mo have tried raising o patch cf
tobacco; they have succeeded. bus the next
question over here is what to do with it when
raised? The onsfoas tex on buying or selling
the smallest quantity Of tobioco makes il I'M
possible for one produ,er to buy up and shin
several crops, while the distance of the nearest
mstkas (Baltimore) takes Ct good deal from
the profits. 1t seems 70 me that Alexandria
ough. to become the market of sll the tobacco
RAISED in this district let the growing pros
perity Of her sister ci!iep, Dlnvills and Lytcs-
tuE2. show her that there is millions in it."
Judge Stuart should be urged 10 have an
Inspection opened in sour toWu. This wauId
stimulate production. money would flow 10, fac
tories would arise. your aboriug classes would
ilad employment, aod Alexsndria would awake
'foa Ter iethsrs7. as giant from bis sleep,
srd 90 forward TO tske that place 10 tho
'sos FOR prosperity, to which her location
ADD msuy natural sdvsntsg es emilio her,
TSo t.c'i'iss nov afforded by the railroads Of
se cate. to TIE firmsrs Of the northwest to
1,od cur nalksts With thei. grain, will soon
make i. impossible for Virginia farmers to un-
ieEaSs to conpsts With lhsn. Lst % then
;i'e more care and s.tcotien to fostering th /.
'rodueIaI OF that crop which has been, yiaos
ia colonial ds!a, the keystone oftho prosperity
Il CUR Stale, IAN OLD FARMER"