The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-05-20
NO. s

The southern counties are noted for
J good roads and fine stock to travel over
them. Roads are kept in prime condition
by trenches on the sides. so that the rainy
seasons injure them very little. Teams
draw heavy loaded wagons and various
wheel carriages over the smooth, level
roads all times of the year. Stock consists
chiefly of the popular breeds, and mich
COWS range in price from $50 up to more
than 1920 per head. Horses and mules are
of medium size, well trained, and move off
at the usual California speed and not a few
drivers seem even to initiate the furious
speed of Jehu, when pursuing the doomed
sons of Ahab. Grass
The wild animals in the country that
cause any trouble are small and few. The
squirrel and gopher burrow in the ground.
The gopher is small web-footed animal,
with big head and wide mouth, similar to
Uncommon pike. Millions of them bur-
row through all parts of the country. Per-
haps not hill, field, orchard, vineyard.
grass lot, garden, or house yard, but they
are at work. Their numbers are dimin-
ished by various ways of killing them, and
the irrigating land destroys great numbers
as they are easily drowned.
The coyote is about the size of common
dog and has his den in the banks of rivers.
1t possesses some of the cunning craft of
the fox, and knows how to decOy the
watch dog into mistake till he can sieze
an unprotected fowl and make his escape.
He can repeat almost as many voices as a
ventriloquist. His peculiar howl and
shrill scream, mixed up with his singular
change of tone, is repulsive indeed.
| Domestic fowls are Of the popular
breeds, always fat. gay, quiet, and in
prime condition, and are profitable the
year round, as the mild winters do not
check their laying eggs. Small birds are
numerous in flocks, but few in variety
The coasts and lakes swarm with myriads
of wild geese, ducks, swans and other
water Birds The plumage of many of
the geese and ducks being variegated the
same as our barnyard fowls. Their con-
slant loud squalling in the still, calm air
of April may be heard for many miles;
large noisy tlocks flying to other quarters
for temporary abode may be seen daily
for several weeks.
Honey bees find here a paradise, as
blooming flowers and other honey material
are within reach nearly all the year, and
but few days are rough enough to keep
them in their house. Their vast numbers
fbo,, of poo fo f4l 70 m =
abode in the garrets of houses, and IN and
aasder the ewes of building. Some men
follow the raising of bees On a farm pre-
pared for the purpose, called bee Ranch
One of these lost $1,000 worth of bees and
honey by fire about 500 of the amount
was covered by insurance.
Patent -four is equal to any in the world
Corn meal. bacon, lard, apples, sweet po-
tatoes, water melons and cabbage, have
not the delicious flavor of those in Virginia
Other fruits and vegetables are as good as
the earth can produce. The religion of
the country, perhaps, cannotlbe claimed to
be in prosperous condition, although,
most of the leading denominations and
minor sects are represented This doubt
less is not be imputed to defect OF the
membership of the churches. The chief
cause of hindrance must be looked for
elsewhere. Scepticism snugy dressed up
in the garb of Ingersol, and wearing the
popular manners of Voltaire is trying its
hand. Many good meaning people are sui
fering themselves to be carried along by
the fast age of progress, so that they for
get to divide Sunday from the week. No
respite from toll with man or beast with
some classes in the onward rush of Califor-
MIA business. The saw and the hammer of
the mechanic, occasionally, become as
useful on Sunday as they do on Monday.
Transfers often find it convenient todraW
in load or two of fire wood, and the sports
man gives notice that he is abroad by the
clear report of his trusty rifle How often
these persons attend the churches, and
how much they contribute to religion, is
unknown to NED ORANGE.